2.

3L (KJ) Engine
1.

Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.

2.

Refer to the illustration of the exploded view of the timing belt assembly for component location and torque specifications.

3.

Remove or disconnect the following:

o

Negative battery cable

Right front wheel

Splash shield from the right hand side

Dust cover

Drive belt

CAUTION
The Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor rotor is on the rear of the crankshaft pulley and can be damaged if the pulley is not
removed carefully.

Turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise until the pin on the pulley is facing down.

Crankshaft pulley using special tools 49 E120 710. Refer to the illustration for tool positioning.

Remove the crankshaft pulley using special tools 49 E120 7102.3L (KJ) engines
Click to Enlarge

Power steering pump, leave the lines attached and position the pump aside

Water pump pulley

Alternator drive belt tensioner

Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor

Oil dipstick and tube

Vacuum pipe

Upper radiator hose

Support the engine assembly with a hoist and remove the number 3 engine mount rubber.

Number 3 engine mount sub bracket, rubber and bracket

Remove the number 3 engine mount sub bracket, rubber and bracket2.3L (KJ)
engines
Click to Enlarge

Timing belt cover

Power steering pump drive belt tensioner

Turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket aligns with the timing mark on the oil pump and the
camshaft sprocket timing marks align with the marks on the cylinder head. The No. 1 piston should be at Top Dead
Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.

Remove the two bolts from the automatic tensioner, removing the lower one first. Keep the bolt holes aligned by holding
the tensioner to reduce the chance of stripping the threads on the bolts.

If the timing belt is to be reused, mark the direction of rotation on the timing belt.

Remove the timing belt.

Exploded view of the timing belt assembly2.3L (KJ) engines

Click to Enlarge

To install:
1.

Install the crankshaft sprocket bolt. Install the flywheel locking tool. Tighten the bolt to 116122 ft. lbs. (157166 Nm).

2.

Check the tension rod projection, it should be 0.5630.594 inch (14.315.1mm), if not, replace the tensioner

Check the tension rod projection, it should be 0.5630.594 inch (14.315.1mm)2.3L

(KJ) engines
Click to Enlarge

3.

Position the automatic tensioner in a press. Set a flat washer under the tensioner body to prevent damage to the body plug.

4.

Compress the tensioner until the hole in the piston is aligned with the 2nd hole in the tensioner case. Insert a 0.055 inch (1.4mm)
diameter wire or pin through the 2nd hole to keep the piston compressed.

5.

Be sure the camshaft sprocket timing marks are still aligned. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the timing sprocket is aligned.

Be sure the camshaft sprocket timing marks are still aligned2.3L (KJ) engines
Click to Enlarge

6.

Install the timing belt. If the original belt is being reused, be sure it is installed in the same direction of rotation. The order of
installation is: timing belt (crankshaft) sprocket, No. 2 idler pulley, left-hand camshaft sprocket, both No. 1 idler pulleys, right-hand
camshaft sprocket and the tensioner pulley.

7.

Install the automatic belt tensioner and tighten the bolts to 1418 ft. lbs. (1925 Nm). Remove the wire or pin from the tensioner.

8.

Turn the crankshaft clockwise, until the crankshaft sprocket timing mark is again at TDC. This should place all of the belt slack in
the automatic tensioner portion of the belt.

9.

Rotate the crankshaft two turns in the normal direction of rotation and align the timing marks. Be sure all marks are still correctly
aligned.

Check the timing belt mark alignment once all the components are installed2.3L (KJ)
engines
Click to Enlarge

Turn the crankshaft clockwise, until the crankshaft sprocket timing mark is again at

TDC2.3L (KJ) engines

Click to Enlarge

11. Inspect timing belt deflection, 0.240.31 inch (68mm), between the crankshaft sprocket and the tensioner pulley. If it is out of
specification, replace the auto-tensioner.
12. Install or connect the following:
o

Power steering pump drive belt tensioner

Upper timing belt cover and tighten the bolts to 95 inch lbs. (11 Nm) in the sequence illustrated

Right and left hand timing belt cover and tighten the bolts to 95 inch lbs. (11 Nm) in the sequence illustrated

Tighten the upper timing belt cover in this sequence2.3L (KJ) engine
Click to Enlarge

Tighten the right and left hand timing belt cover in this sequence2.3L (KJ) engine
Click to Enlarge

Number 3 engine mount rubber, bracket and sub bracket. Tighten boltsAto 44 ft. lbs. (60 Nm) and boltsBto 77 ft. lbs.
(104 Nm).

Install the number 3 engine mount rubber, bracket and sub bracket and tighten to
specification2.3L (KJ) engine
Click to Enlarge

Upper radiator hose

Vacuum pipe

Oil dipstick and tube

CMP sensor

Alternator drive belt tensioner

Water pump pulley

Power steering pump

Remove the timing belt pulleyA, install the crankshaft pulley. Hand tighten boltsAandB. Tighten the boltAto 116122 ft.
lbs. (157166 Nm) and boltBto 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).

Drive belt

Dust cover

Splash shield from the right hand side

Right front wheel

Negative battery cable