How to Replace a Timing Belt on a 92 Toyota Camry

Toyota recommends replacing the timing belt at 60,000-mile intervals. The reasoning is this engine uses a hydraulic belt tensioner with a specific amount of throw. The timing belt rarely shows any wear, however, it stretches, as do all timing belts. Using the timing belt over 60,000 miles stretches the limits of the belt. Even though the Toyota's engine is a freewheeling engine, where it is unlikely that a thrown timing belt will cause any significant damage, for peak functionality, replace the timing belt as per manufacturer's directions. Replacing the timing belt is a job for an experienced home mechanic with a good understanding of the mechanical aspects of an engine and is not a job for a novice. One mistake can cause catastrophic damage.

Instructions

1

Open the hood. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent any sparks while working on the engine. Loosen the lug nuts one turn on the passenger's side of the front wheel using a lug wrench. Raise the passenger's front side of the vehicle, using the floor jack. Place a jack stand under the subframe and lower the car to rest on the jack stand. Remove the floor jack and move it to a spot directly under the oil pan. Continue removing the wheel.

2

Remove the inner splash shield on the passenger's side using a socket and a ratchet. Use a socket and ratchet to remove the windshield washer reservoir. Loosen the accessory belt tensioners using a wrench and remove the belts.

3

Remove the bolts in the power steering pump using a socket and move the pump aside without removing the hoses. Raise the floor jack to provide additional stabilization for the engine underneath the oil pan. Remove the upper motor mount and bracket using a socket. Remove the upper timing belt cover using a socket.

4

Place a socket on the center bolt in the crankshaft pulley and turn the engine clockwise until the V-notch in the crankshaft pulley aligns with the arrow at 12 o'clock on the front of the block. Look at both camshaft sprocket alignment marks. The timing line on the side of the sprockets should be pointed straight up at 12 o'clock to align with the half moon mark on the top of the inside cover. If the marks don't align, turn the crankshaft around one more time and they will all line up.

5

Remove the center bolt in the crankshaft pulley with a socket. Install the wheel puller and remove the pulley. Remove the lower timing belt cover using a socket. Remove the bolts in the hydraulic tensioner cylinder using a socket.

6

Place the hydraulic cylinder in a vise and slowly compress the rod into the cylinder. Place a cotter pin through the hole that goes through the outer case and through a hole in the shaft to keep it from extending. Remove it from the vise.

7

Remove the timing belt from the engine. Install the hydraulic cylinder (with the cotter pin still attached) and tighten the bolts.

8

Install the new timing belt starting on the right side and moving counterclockwise. Start at the crankshaft sprocket, and move over the water pump, around the top right camshaft sprocket, under the idler pulley, over the left top camshaft sprocket, on the inside of the belt tensioner. Ensure all the tension is on the right side with the slack on the tensioner side.

9

Check both camshaft sprocket-timing marks, which must be straight up. Ensure the crankshaft sprocket V-cut lines up with the arrow on the block. Pull the cotter pin out of the hydraulic cylinder. It will extend and force the tensioner pulley against the timing belt exerting the proper tension.

10

Check your work by temporarily installing the center bolt in the crankshaft to turn the crankshaft. Use a socket to turn the engine clockwise two turns and align all timing marks again. As long as the marks still align, the timing belt install is fine. Repeat the alignment process if they don't align, which will require removal of the hydraulic cylinder again and the cotter pin set in place to hold the hydraulic cylinder in place, until you need to release it against the belt.

11

Install the lower timing belt cover. Install the crankshaft pulley and tighten the center bolt to 95 foot-pounds of torque. Install the upper timing belt cover and the upper motor mount bracket and mount.

12

Remove the floor jack from beneath the oil pan. Install the accessory drive belts and tighten all tensioners appropriately. Install the power steering pump. Install the windshield wiper reservoir. Install the inner splash shield. Install the front tire and wheel and tighten the lug nuts to a point they are snug. Raise the car with the floor jack and remove the jack stand. Lower the car. Torque all the lug nuts to 90 foot-pounds of torque.