2001 Sportage 4x4 Timing Belt Help...

[mainesportage]

Ok,

Searched and copied all applicable info for replacing the water pump and decided that the best thing to do at the same time would to be to replace the timing belt and tensioner.

Any suggestions or things to look out for?

Thanks all... been working on this nightmare sporty for a week now!

[mainesportage]

Originally Posted by mainesportage

Ok,

Searched and copied all applicable info for replacing the water pump and decided that the best thing to do at the same time would to be to replace the timing belt and tensioner.

Any suggestions or things to look out for?

Thanks all... been working on this nightmare sporty for a week now!

Every time I align the Intake (left) and Exhaust (right) cams and get the Crankshaft at 12 O'clock... I work the new belt on start from the crankshaft and working it around counter clockwise... Then loosen up bolt on tensioner pulley - the crankshaft shifts over about 1-2 teeth and thus the timing is no longer insink with the cams and crank.

any suggestions?

Thanks

[mainesportage]

Went to Napa and bough a "Dual Overhead Cam" hold/lock bracket" tool. Aligned the left cam (Intake) and right cam (Exhaust) with the nubs on the backer plate - and then locked them into place using the new tool.

Then working from the crankshaft first with the belt, (holding the tension on the left side of the belt by hand), I worked my way around the waterpump / idler pulley / and then pulling all slack out *without turning the crankshaft - I wound the timing belt tightly around the Exhaust cam (right side) then around the Intake cam (left side) down around the tension pulley and made SURE that the crankshaft was aligned at 12 O'clock and that the cams didn't move at all. Losened the Tension pulley bolt allowing the tension pulley spring to take the remaining slack out.

Using two 17mm wrenches and trying to get the belt worked around (even with two people is just a nightmare)!!

All worked well.

Sorry for the long post, but even with all of the great info available to Kia owners - there is NOT enough detail available to get the job done 100% and certainly not enough info out there to avoid the frustration that I went through. I value this site and with all of the repairs that I have now accomplished via this site - I thank all that have provided input.

Hope that this helps the next person up against a timing belt change!!

Here is the link for the Dual Overhead Cam locking tool: Detail Page for 36880 Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) Lock Tool - Lisle Corporation