Timing Chain Cover, Chain, Sprockets, & Seal
Removal & Installation
2.3L (VIN Z) Engine
CAUTION
The crankshaft, the crankshaft sprocket and the pulley are fitted together by friction, using diamond washers between the flange faces on each part. For that reason, the crankshaft sprocket is also unfastened if you loosen the pulley. Therefore the engine must be retimed each time the damper is removed. Otherwise severe engine damage can occur.
- Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
- Remove or disconnect the following:
Negative battery cableAccessory belt splash shieldAccessory drive beltCylinder head cover - Using the crankshaft pulley bolt, rotate the crankshaft clockwise to the No. 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC).
- Install the camshaft alignment plate 303-465 to the rear of the camshafts.
CAUTIONThe special tool Camshaft Alignment Plate (T94P-6256-CH) is for camshaft alignment only. Using this tool to prevent engine rotation can result in engine damage.
NOTEThe camshaft timing slots are offset. If the special tool cannot be installed, rotate the crankshaft one complete revolution clockwise to correctly position the camshafts. - Remove the plug bolt and install Special Tool Crankshaft Timing Peg 303-507 to prevent the engine from being rotated in the clockwise direction.
- Install the special tools Holding Fixture (205-126) and Adapter (205-072-02) to the crankshaft pulley.
- Remove or disconnect the following
Crankshaft pulley boltCrankshaft pulleyCrankshaft Position (CKP) sensorAccessory drive belt tensionerPower steering pressure (PSP) switchPSP tube bracketPower steering pump pulley, using Special Tool 211-016PSP tubePower steering pump mounting bolts and position the pump asideWater pump pulley - Support the engine from above with a suitable support fixture.
- Remove or disconnect the following:
Engine mountsIdler pulleyFront cover - Compress the timing chain tensioner and insert a paper clip into the hole to secure the piston.
- Remove or disconnect the following:
NOTEUse a wrench on the flats of the camshaft to prevent camshaft rotation. Do not rely on the Camshaft Alignment Plate to prevent rotation. Damage to the camshaft can occur.
Timing chain tensionerRight hand timing chain guideTiming chainCamshaft sprockets
To install:
- Remove the Camshaft Alignment tool.
CAUTIONDo not rotate the camshafts. Damage to the valves and pistons can occur. If the camshaft sprockets were not removed, use the flats on the camshafts to prevent camshaft rotation and loosen the sprocket bolts. - Install or connect the following:
Camshaft sprockets and the bolts. Do not tighten the bolts at this time.LH timing chain guide and tighten the bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm)Timing chainRH timing chain guideTiming chain tensioner and tighten the bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Remove the paper clip to release the piston. - Install the Camshaft Alignment tool.
- Using a wrench on the flats on the camshafts to prevent camshaft rotation, tighten the bolts to 48 ft. lbs. (65 Nm).
CAUTIONDo not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive disks or other abrasive means to clean sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges which make leak paths. - Clean and inspect the mounting surfaces of the engine and the front cover.
NOTEThe engine front cover must be installed and the bolts tightened within four minutes of applying the silicone gasket and sealant. - Apply a 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) bead of silicone gasket and sealant to the cylinder head and oil pan joint areas. Apply a 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) bead of silicone gasket and sealant to the front cover.
- Install the engine front cover. Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown, to the following specifications:
- If a new seal is being installed, use the special tool Front Seal Installer 303-096 to install the crankshaft front oil seal.
- Position the power steering pump and tighten the four bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
- Using the special tool Teflon Seal Installer 211-D027, install a new O-ring on the PSP tube fitting.
- Install or connect the following:
NOTEApply clean engine oil on seal area before installing.
PSP tube fitting and tighten to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm)PSP tube bracket and tighten the nut to 10 ft. lbs. (13 Nm)PSP switchWater pump pulley and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)Accessory drive belt idler pulley and tighten the bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)Accessory drive belt tensioner and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) - Install the crankshaft pulley and hand-tighten the bolt.
NOTEDo not reuse the crankshaft damper bolt.
CAUTIONOnly hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur.
NOTEThis step will correctly align the crankshaft pulley to the crankshaft. - Install a standard 6 mm (0.23 in) x 18 mm (0.7 in) bolt through the crankshaft pulley and thread it into the front cover.
- Rotate the pulley as necessary to align the bolt holes.
CAUTIONFailure to hold the crankshaft pulley in place during bolt tightening can cause damage to the engine front cover. - Using the special tools to hold the crankshaft pulley in place, tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt as follows:
- Step 1: Tighten to 74 ft. lbs. (100 Nm).
- Step 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
- Remove the special tools.
- Remove the 6 mm (0.23 in) x 18 mm (0.7 in) bolt.
- Remove the Crankshaft Timing Peg.
- Remove the Camshaft Alignment tool.
- Turn the engine two complete revolutions.
- Install the Crankshaft Timing Peg.
NOTEOnly turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation. - Turn the crankshaft until the No. 1 piston is at top dead center (TDC).
CAUTIONOnly hand-tighten the bolt or damage to the front cover can occur. - Using the 6 mm (0.23 in) x 18 mm (0.7 in) bolt, check the position of the crankshaft pulley. If it is not possible to install the bolt, correct the engine timing.
- Using the Camshaft Alignment tool, check the position of the camshafts. If it is not possible to install the special tool, correct the engine timing.
- Remove the Camshaft Alignment tool.
- Remove the 6 mm (0.23 in) x 18 mm (0.7 in) bolt.
- Remove the Crankshaft Timing Peg.
- Install or connect the following:
Engine plug bolt and tighten it to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm)Engine mounts and tighten the bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm)CKP sensorCylinder head coverAccessory drive beltAccessory drive belt splash shieldNegative battery cable - Fill and purge the power steering fluid.
- Fill the cooling system to the correct level.
- Fill the engine with oil.
- Start then engine and check for leaks.