Repair 7

How to Replace the Timing Belt on a Catera

The Cadillac Catera is a mid-sized car manufactured from 1997 to 2001. All versions of the Catera have a six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine with a double overhead cam shaft. The timing belt synchronizes the rotations of the camshafts with that of the crankshaft. It performs the same function as a timing chain, but a timing belt makes less noise and wears out a regular intervals. Its essential that you keep the crankshaft in the proper position when replacing the timing belt.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to avoid starting the engine during the procedure. Remove any components needed to access the timing belt, depending on the specific model of Catera. They typically include the air intake resonator, intake plenum, splash shield and secondary air injection pipe.

2

Remove the accessory drive belt from its pulleys. Disconnect the pulleys for the water pump and power steering pump with a socket wrench. Remove the front cover for the timing belt and the crankshaft balancer.

3

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket is 60 degrees counterclockwise from the timing mark on the oil pump. Turn the tensioner nut on the timing belt tensioner counterclockwise with a socket wrench to relieve the tension on the timing belt. Loosen the mounting bolts for the idler pulleys and remove the timing belt from its pulleys.

4

Align the dash marks on the new timing belt with the timing marks on the crankshaft sprocket and oil pump. Install the timing belt onto the crankshaft sprocket and proceed in a counterclockwise direction.

5

Turn the tensioner nut on the timing belt tensioner counterclockwise with a socket wrench far as possible. Turn the tensioner nut clockwise until the reference mark on the timing belt is 0.003 inches over the reference mark on the flange.

6

Tighten the locking nut on the timing belt tensioner by hand. Turn the crankshaft clockwise two full turns until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket is 60 degrees counterclockwise from the timing mark on the oil pump.

7

Turn the locking nut on the timing belt pensioner all the way counterclockwise. Tighten the locking nut until the reference mark on the timing belt is 0.078 to 0.157 inches over the reference mark on the flange.

8

Tighten the locking nut on the timing belt tensioner to 15 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Tighten the mounting bolts on the idler pulley 30 ft. lbs.

9

Install the crankshaft balancer and tighten its mounting bolts to 15 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Connect the front cover for the timing belt and tighten its bolts to 71 inch lbs. Install the pulley for the water pump and torque its bolts to 71 inch lbs. Connect the pulley for the power steering pump and pulley and tighten its bolts to 15 ft. lbs.

10

Connect the additional components needed to access the timing belt, such as the accessory drive belt, air injection pipe, splash shield, intake plenum and intake air resonator. Attach the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench.