PT CRUISER TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT MANUAL
PT CRUISER TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT PROFESSIONAL

Once it's out of the way, though, you're almost home. But as you can see in our photos, some lumber and an adjustable tiedown strap work just fine to support the powertrain while you remove that cumbersome motor mount.

PT CRUISER TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT PROFESSIONAL

Of course, there are professional engine-support rigs available for purchase or rent. (4) The motor mount can now be removed temporarily. Some belts are installed with a mount in their center, making changing them problematic. (3) Support the engine with some sort of skyhook if you need to remove the rightside motor mount. On some vehicles, you may find these marks in all three places.īorder='0' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' style='border:thin solid #cccccc '>

The flywheel is bolted to the other (transmission) end of the crankshaft.

PT CRUISER TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT MANUAL

Or, the service manual may direct you to the transmission end of the engine to look through a hole in the bellhousing for a timing mark on the flywheel. For the crankshaft below, there probably will be a timing mark on the damper pulley that lines up with another mark on the lower cover. Get your marks lined up right the first time.Īfter you remove the top section of the timing belt cover, you should see a timing mark on the camshaft sprocket - this mark usually lines up with the edge of the cylinder head or valve cover. 1's valves are closed (which begins the compression stroke) in order to re-index the engine. Then you'll get confused and have to pull off the valve cover as you try to determine when No. If you try to remove and replace the timing belt with the engine in any other position, chances are good you'll throw things out of time. Why? 1) That interference engine thing again and 2) Every camshaft and crankshaft on planet Earth is indexed to No. 1 cylinder at top dead center (TDC) on the compression stroke before attempting to replace the timing belt. We cannot stress this enough: Be careful! Make sure you know where the timing marks are on your engine, and that you have them set up properly with No. Media Platforms Design Team Time and Time Again For your car's maintenance schedule, consult the owner's manual,, or the belt manufacturer's poster hanging on the wall at your favorite parts store. So replacing this cogged reinforced-rubber belt at regular intervals - generally every 60,000 miles unless the car manufacturer specifies longer - is a lot less expensive and aggravating than having it break first. The timing belt (or chain) is the sole component that keeps the camshaft (make that camshafts on a DOHC or V-type OHC engine) and crankshaft in sync. Unlike belts, timing chains usually don't have a routine replacement interval. For the record, many engines - like those in more expensive models - still use timing chains, rather than belts, like they did back in the day before the popularity of overhead camshafts. It's best to replace the timing belt according to your carmaker's recommended schedule. You probably could have avoided this particular bit of unpleasantness with timely maintenance. Sadly, sales brochures don't list whether an engine might suffer catastrophic damage if the belt goes. You're one of the unfortunates with an 'interference engine' - an engine that can leave one or more valves still propped open far enough to contact a piston when the belt parts. Now he gets to charge you for the tow, the belt replacement and a valve job, because there's no compression on two cylinders. Your mechanic says your timing belt failed, then he chuckles into his shirt pocket. Specifically, the engine suddenly goes dead silent one fine day. Your six-year-old econobox is starting to show a bit of wear and tear, but everything mechanical still works fine. check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's replacement interval.

Pt cruiser timing belt replacement