QuestionXG300 2001, Upon repairing my defective crank pulley I decided to inspect/replace timing belt. What does it take to get the idler pulley for timing belt removed???
AnswerHi, George. My apologies for not replying to your question about the crank pulley fast enough. In any event I'm glad you've removed it.
I'm a little confused as to why you'd want to remove the timing belt idler pulley. Removing this pulley is not necessary for replacing the timing belt.
Is there a problem with this pulley? If so, it should be simply held on by one 14mm bolt in the center.
Are you referring to the idler for the a/c-alternator belt? If so, remove this pulley by simply removing the three 12mm bolts holding the bracket in place. Then remove the pulley and bracket as an assembly.
When you're at the point of relieving the tension on the timing belt so you can remove it, I recommend you follow this procedure:
-- DO NOT AT ANY TIME LOOSEN THE BOLT ON THE ECCENTRIC PULLEY. THIS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT YOURSELF. IF THE ECCENTRIC IS NOT PUT BACK TO THE PROPER SETTING, ENGINE DAMAGE COULD OCCUR.
-- Set the engine to top dead center. All timing marks should be lined up.
-- Remove the two 12mm bolts holding the timing belt hydraulic tensioner in place and remove the hydraulic tensioner.
-- Remove the timing belt.
-- Compress the hydraulic tensioner piston and pin in place.
-- Install the new timing belt. Note that some of the camshaft sprockets will have moved. I recommend starting by placing the timing belt on the crank sprocket and wedging something between the sprocket and the lip on the oil pump assembly so the belt cannot slip.
-- Then continue threading the timing belt in the proper sequence: front bank exhaust, front bank intake, water pump, rear bank intake, and rear bank exhaust. Make sure you've taken up all slack and that the marks are aligned at each sprocket. You can use large spring-type paper clips to hold the belt in place on each of the sprockets.
-- Wedge the hydraulic tensioner back in place and tighten the two 10mm bolts.
-- Remove the pin from the tensioner and verify all marks are still aligned.
Note that very little on this timing belt job is simple. If you've not done a timing belt before, this may not be the one to start with. If you've done timing belt jobs before, I'd recommend registering for a free account at www.hmaservice.com so you can review the procedure there.
If I've not addressed your idler pulley concerns, please follow-up and clarify the information you need.
