Replacing the timing belt & correct timing?

SALTYDOG56

MEMBER
2004 KIA OPTIMA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
115,000 MILES

I replaced a crankshaft sensor, didn`t know it was going to be so much trouble for such a small part. Now that I`ve got the thing changed I`ll need to reset the timing belt. The belt was changed at 70,000 miles. I didn`t changed it myself. I`ve never changed a timing belt before thought I`ld change the sensor to save some money. I can`t find the Timing Marks onthe crank pulley only a little metal peg sticking up on the crank and nothing on the block or around the crank. Please Help me. I sure would appreciate it. I Can`t donate anything right but I will when I get back to working. Thanks & God Bless You. Richard.

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Invest in a camshaft locking tool ..and make sure #1 piston is at TDC (top dead centre) by removing the spark plug and manually checking

Removal
CAUTION:To prevent engine damage, DO NOT rotate crankshaft counterclockwise (as viewed from timing belt end of engine).

Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove drive belts and drive pulleys from crankshaft and water pump. Remove timing belt covers. To align timing marks, rotate engine clockwise so No. 1 cylinder is at TDC of compression stroke. Ensure camshaft sprocket timing marks align with upper surface of rocker cover. Dowel pin of camshaft sprocket should be pointing upward. See Fig. 1 .
Remove timing belt auto tensioner. If reusing timing belt, place mark on timing belt to indicate direction of belt rotation. Remove timing belt. Remove camshaft sprockets.
Remove plug at left side of block, and insert a screwdriver to hold left counterbalance shaft in position. Screwdriver will have to be inserted at least 2.36" (60 mm). Remove oil pump sprocket nut and sprocket. See Fig. 2 .
Loosen right counterbalance shaft sprocket mounting bolt. Remove tensioner "B" and timing belt "B". See Fig. 2 . Remove crankshaft sprocket "B" from crankshaft.
Fig. 1: Identifying Timing Belt Alignment Marks
Courtesy of HYUNDAI MOTOR CO.
Fig. 2: Exploded View Of Timing Belt Components
Courtesy of HYUNDAI MOTOR CO.
Inspection
Tips Click a link to view tip
Tech1Tip: TIMING BELT TEETH

Check belt teeth for cracks, damage and oil contamination. Inspect sprockets for damage. Check tensioner pulley and idler pulley for grease leakage and roughness in rotation. Check sprockets and pulleys for wear, cracks or damage. Replace components if necessary.
Measure protrusion of auto tensioner rod. Auto tensioner rod should extend .57" (14.5 mm) from end of housing. See Fig. 3 . Replace auto tensioner rod if not within specification. Place tensioner in a soft-jawed vise, and test resistance of rod. If rod can be easily pushed in with light vise pressure, replace auto tensioner.
Fig. 3: Measuring Auto Tensioner Protrusion
Courtesy of HYUNDAI MOTOR CO.
Installation
Tips Click a link to view tip
Tech1Tip: timing belt alignment

Install crankshaft sprocket "B" onto crankshaft. Ensure flange is properly positioned. Lightly oil outer surface of spacer, and then install spacer to right counterbalance shaft, with rounded edge of spacer inward.
Install right counterbalance shaft sprocket. Tighten flange bolt tightly by hand. Align timing marks on each sprocket and on front case. See Fig. 4 .
When installing timing belt "B", ensure there is no slack in tension side. Install tensioner "B" in center of pulley on left side of mounting bolt, and in pulley flange toward front of engine. See Fig. 5 . Align timing mark of right counterbalance shaft sprocket with timing mark on front case.
To tighten timing belt "B", lift tensioner "B" so tension side is pulled tight. Tighten bolt to secure tensioner "B". DO NOT turn shaft, or belt will be over-tightened.
Ensure timing marks are aligned. Ensure center of span on tension side of timing belt "B" can be depressed by hand. Ensure belt deflection is .20-.30" (5-7 mm).
Install crankshaft sprocket flange and sprocket. Ensure flange is mounted in proper direction, with chamfered side toward block. Install special washer and sprocket bolt to crankshaft. Tighten sprocket bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Insert long screwdriver through plug hole in left side of cylinder block to hold counterbalance shaft in position. Install oil pump sprocket, and tighten nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install camshaft sprockets, and tighten bolts.
If auto tensioner rod is fully extended, place it in soft-jawed vise, and compress rod until hole in rod lines up with hole in auto tensioner housing. Insert stiff wire to hold rod in this position. Install auto tensioner, leaving wire in place.
CAUTION:If timing marks on camshaft sprockets do not line up properly, DO NOT rotate sprocket more than 2 teeth in either direction, or valve and piston will touch. If necessary, remove and reposition camshaft sprocket.

Install crankshaft sensor. Set timing marks of camshaft sprockets with notches on upper side of rocker cover and dowel pins straight up. Align crankshaft sprocket timing marks. Align oil pump sprocket timing marks.
Install timing belt in order around crankshaft sprocket, oil pump sprocket, idler pulley, exhaust camshaft sprocket, intake camshaft sprocket and tensioner pulley.
Gently raise tensioner pulley so belt will not sag, and then temporarily tighten center bolt. Ensure timing mark of each sprocket is still aligned. Remove wire from auto tensioner.
Rotate crankshaft 2 complete turns clockwise. Leave in this position for about 5 minutes. Measure auto tensioner protrusion "A" (distance between tensioner arm and auto tensioner body). Ensure auto tensioner protrusion is .22-.35" (6-9 mm). See Fig. 3 . Install timing belt lower cover and upper cover.