Timing belt replacement for the 1995 through 1997 1.5 Hyundai Accent is recommended at 60,000-mile intervals. This is a determination based on the service history of the vehicle. It has been found to stretch to its limit shortly after this interval. The engine is also considered an interference engine in which engine damage is very likely in the event that the timing belt fails with the engine running. If the belt fails, the pistons are very likely to hit the valves and cause them to bend or the connecting rods or pistons to be damaged.
Remove the accessory drive belts. Remove the water pump pulley. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt and the crankshaft pulley. Remove the timing belt covers. Turn the crankshaft sprocket clockwise until the timing marks on the sprocket are aligned with the mark on the block at the 1 o'clock position. Make sure that the camshaft sprocket is aligned through the use of the small hole in the sprocket. The small hole should be straight up and you should see the mark on the cam bearing through the hole.
Loosen the bolt in the belt tensioner and move it away from the belt and tighten the bolt enough to keep the tensioner from moving. Remove the timing belt.
Install the new timing belt from the right crank sprocket up and on the inside of the idler pulley, over the cam sprocket and down through the inside of the tensioner. Keep all the tension on the side away from the tensioner. Use your left hand to keep tension on the belt as it is being installed so it does not skip a tooth. Loosen the tensioner bolt and its pivot bolt so it can swivel. Allow the tensioner to apply tension to the belt. Tighten the inside tensioner bolt first with the groove in the bracket and then tighten the outer pivot bolt.
Check the timing marks again and make sure they are still lined up. If so then turn the engine clockwise two revolutions and check the timing marks to make sure they are still lined up. If the timing marks are not lined up, remove the belt, line up the marks as outlined in Step 1, then repeat the process.
Replace all parts in the reverse of removal. Torque the crankshaft bolt to 110 foot pounds.
