Hyundai has produced several models over the years, most of which have a different process to replace the timing belt for each year, make and model. Hyundai used a 1.5L 12V engine in the Accent from 1995 to 2000. The 1.5L engine is an interference motor, which means that when the belt stretches past the scope of the tensioner, the valves will most likely hit the pistons and cause extensive engine damage. It takes about three hours to replace the timing belt and no special tools are required.
Disconnect the negative battery cable and lay it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Loosen the accessory drive belt tensioners using the appropriate wrench or socket, removing tension from the belts. Lift the belts off the pulleys. Remove the water pump pulley, crankshaft pulley bolt, crankshaft pulley and the timing belt covers using the appropriate sockets.
Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the timing mark on the crankshaft lines up. The crankshaft timing mark is a dot on the sprocket that lines up with a dot on the block at the 1 o'clock position. The timing mark on the camshaft sprocket is a dot on the sprocket that lines up with a pointer on the head at just past the 3 o'clock position. If the crankshaft timing mark lines up, but the camshaft timing mark does not line up, turn the crankshaft one more turn, then both will line up.
Loosen the timing belt tensioner pivot bolt and the tensioner bolt. Push the tensioner toward the water pump using a screwdriver as a lever. Tighten the bolt just enough to hold the tensioner out of the way. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets and pulleys. Check that the timing marks are still lined up.
Install the timing belt, working in a counterclockwise direction, starting at the crankshaft sprocket. Route the timing belt over the top of the camshaft sprocket, keeping tension on the belt between the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets. Route the timing belt behind the tensioner. If the timing marks "move" when installing the belt, turn the camshaft sprocket slightly counterclockwise to line the mark up again.
Loosen the tensioner pivot bolt, then the tensioner bolt and allow the tensioner to put tension on the belt. Turn the crankshaft clockwise one turn until the crankshaft timing mark is lined up again. Loosen the tensioner pivot bolt, then the tensioner bolt. Allow the tensioner to put more tension on the belt. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 17 foot-pounds of torque. Tighten the pivot bolt to 17 foot-pounds of torque.
Push on the timing belt halfway between the camshaft sprocket and the crankshaft sprocket on the right side (as you are looking down at the engine) with a force of 11 pounds. The belt should deflect one-half the tensioner bolt-head width. If not, repeat the tensioning process (Step 5).
Turn the crankshaft clockwise one turn until both timing marks line up again. Install the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal. When replacing the crankshaft pulley, make sure the locating pin in the crankshaft sprocket is fully engaged in the pulley. Tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to 115 foot-pounds of torque if you are working on a 1995 or 1996 model, and 107 foot-pounds of torque if you are working on a 1997 through 2000 model.
