Timing Belt — Checking Condition

The engine camshafts are driven by a toothed belt. The drive is carried out from the crankshaft. The belt drive is equipped with a tensioner that automatically maintains the belt tension in the optimum range. If the belt breaks, the engine cannot run. In the event of a belt loosening, destruction or shearing of its teeth, the valve timing may be disturbed and even serious damage to the engine. Therefore, during the operation of the car, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the timing belt and replace it in a timely manner. Checking the condition of the timing belt is carried out in accordance with the maintenance plan - every 90,000 km of run (see «Maintenance plan»), On a vehicle with high mileage, check the condition of the belt twice as often.

Recommendation. If during engine operation, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe upper front cover of the timing belt, a strong noise of a rotating bearing is heard when checking the belt, you should also check the condition of the tension and guide rollers (see «Timing belt rollers - check and replace») and coolant pump (see «Coolant pump - replacement»).

The work is labor intensive and requires special equipment and skills. Access to some mounting bolts is difficult due to the tight layout in the engine compartment. To remove the timing belt cover, you need to remove the right engine mount, and for this, the engine must be partially suspended. Therefore, if you are not confident, have this work done at a specialized service station.

Execution sequence

1. We prepare the car for work (see «Preparing the car for maintenance and repair»).

2. Remove the engine trim (see «Decorative overlay of the engine - removal and installation»).

3. Remove the right support of the power unit (see «Power unit supports - removal and installation»).

4. With a 5 mm hex wrench, unscrew the five bolts securing the front upper cover of the timing belt (for clarity shown on the removed cover).

Comment. Access to the bolt located at the bottom front is limited. Access can be improved by jacking up the right side of the engine. The bolt should be loosened with a compact ratchet wrench.

5. Remove the cover from the engine.



6. Using a 17 mm socket wrench, rotate the crankshaft by the pulley mounting bolt...




... visually check the condition of the timing belt.



The belt must be clean - free of dirt and oil on its surface. A belt with tears, cracks, delaminations, sheared and worn teeth, abrasions to the cord must be replaced (see below, «Timing belt - replacement»).

7. Control the belt tension by the marks on the tension roller (with normal belt tension, lug 1 should be opposite groove 2).



Otherwise, it is necessary to check the tensioner adjustment or replace the timing belt together with the tension roller (see below).

8. After inspection, install the cover and the parts removed from the car in place.