Repair 7

The 1987 Mustang belongs to the third generation of this series, which was in production from 1979 to 1993. It had a choice of several engines, including a four-cylinder 2.3-liter engine. This engine uses a timing belt to ensure that the cylinder valves open and close at the correct point in the cylinders compression cycle. The timing belt for a 1987 Mustang with a 2.3-liter engine should last about 60,000 miles before requiring replacement.

Instructions

1

Remove the access plug on the outer timing belt cover with a socket wrench. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket with the timing mark on the engine block. The timing mark on the camshaft sprocket must also align with the timing mark on the inner cover of the timing belt.

2

Loosen the adjuster bolts for the accessory drive belts with a socket wrench, and remove the drive belts. Disconnect the cooling fan and its pulley from the hub of the water pump. Remove the mounting bolt for the outer cover of the timing belt, and disconnect the timing belt cover. Detach the distributor cap from the distributor so you can push the distributor cap out of the way.

3

Loosen the adjustment and pivot bolts for the timing belt tensioner with a socket wrench. Pull the tensioner away from the timing belt as far as possible and tighten the adjustment bolt to hold the tensioner in place. Disconnect the crankshaft pulley and the guide plate for the timing belt that is behind the pulley. Remove the timing belt.

4

Install the new timing belt over the crankshaft sprocket, auxiliary drive shaft sprocket and camshaft sprocket in that order. Center the timing belt on the sprockets. Loosen the adjustment bolt on the timing belt tensioner with a socket wrench to place tension on the timing belt.

5

Turn the crankshaft two complete turns clockwise to remove the slack in the timing belt, and ensure the timing marks are aligned. Tighten the adjustment bolt on the timing belt tensioner to between 14 and 21 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Tighten the pivot bolt on the belt tensioner to between 28 and 40 ft. lbs.

6

Connect the distributor cap to the distributor. Install the guide plate for the timing belt, outer timing belt cover and crankshaft pulley with a socket wrench. Connect the pulley for the water pump and the cooling fan. Install the accessory drive belts and adjust their tension. Start the engine and check the timing of the ignition.

A Suburban transmission mount is a block of rubber, bonded between a metal plate on top and a threaded stud centered on the bottom. The mount fits between the transmission tail-shaft and the cross member. It bolts to the two threaded holes under the transmission tail shaft, and to the bracket on the cross member, with a threaded stud. The transmission mount failure occurs when the rubber gets stretched or becomes separated from the top plate or the threaded stud on the bottom. Even when new, some transmission mounts allow for movement and noise.

Instructions

Remove the Transmission Mount

1

Drive the Suburban onto a set of ramps, and apply the emergency brake.

2

Place blocks on the front and rear side of the rear wheels, to prevent the truck from rolling.

3

Go under the vehicle, using a creeper. Place the tools and hydraulic bottle jack within reach.

4

Remove the two mount bolts on the bottom of the transmission tail shaft, as well as the nut from the threaded stud in the cross member. It may be necessary to hold the rubber mount with a pair of lockjaw pliers, while removing the nut from the cross member.

5

Place a bottle jack under the tail of the transmission, and jack it high enough to remove the old transmission mount.

6

Insert the new transmission mount with the threaded stud through the hole in the cross member bracket.

7

Thread the two top bolts into the tail shaft of the transmission, and tighten.

8

Lower the transmission, centered onto the cross member, with the threaded stud through the cross member bracket, and tighten.

9

Remove the blocks from the rear wheels, and back the vehicle off the ramps.

The Isuzu Trooper was a mid-size sport utility vehicle manufactured between 1981 and 2005. It was also marketed under other names, including the Trooper II for models made before 1989. The standard engine for the 1987 Isuzu Trooper is a four-cylinder 2.3-liter engine with a single overhead camshaft. The timing belt allows the crankshaft to drive the camshaft so that the cylinder valves open and close in the correct sequence.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Disconnect the mounting bolt for the crankshaft pulley and remove the pulley. Disconnect the covers for the timing belt.

2

Rotate the crankshaft to align the timing marks. The mark on the camshaft sprocket must align with the mark on the rear cover for the timing belt. The keyway of the crankshaft sprocket must align with the mark on the cover of the oil seal retainer. This position places the No. 4 cylinder in the top dead center position of its compression stroke.

3

Loosen the timing belt tensioner with a socket wrench to relieve the tension on the timing belt. Detach the timing belt from the sprocket of the crankshaft.

4

Install the new timing belt onto the sprockets for the crankshaft, oil pump and camshaft in that order. Align the timing marks for the crankshaft and camshaft again if necessary. Tighten the timing belt tensioner to apply tension to the timing belt.

5

Turn the crankshaft two full turns counterclockwise to realign the timing marks. Loosen the bolt on the tensioner pulley with a socket wrench and allow the belt tensioner to apply the correct tension to the timing belt. Torque the bolt for the tensioner pulley to 14 ft. lbs.with a torque wrench.

6

Connect the covers for the timing belt with a socket wrench and install the pulley for the crankshaft. Attach the cable to the negative battery terminal. Start the vehicle and check for fluid leaks.

The Toyota Camry is a series of compact and mid-size cars in production since 1982. The 1987 model is a second generation Camry, which typically has a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine. This engine uses a timing belt to synchronize the rotations of the camshaft and crankshaft. The timing belt on a 1987 Toyota Camry has a limited lifetime and should last at least 60,000 miles before needing replacement.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the covers for the timing belt with a socket wrench and discard their gaskets. Remove the thru-bolt and the mounting insulator on the right side of the engine. Disconnect the retaining bolts for the right engine-mounting bracket and remove the bracket.

2

Remove the timing belt guide and timing belt with a socket wrench. Disconnect the retaining bolts for the No. 1 and No. 2 idler pulleys and remove the pulleys. Detach the timing pulley for the crankshaft, using a pair of pry tools if necessary. Disconnect the retaining nut for the oil pump pulley and remove the oil pump pulley.

3

Slide the oil pump pulley onto its shaft and tighten the retaining nut to 21 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Align the set key on the crankshaft-timing pulley with the corresponding groove on the pulley shaft, and slide the pulley onto the shaft. Tighten the retaining bolt to 80 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench.

4

Connect the No. 2 idler pulley and tighten its retaining bolt to 31 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Install the No. 1 idler pulley, loosely fasten its retaining bolt and connect the tension spring. Pull the No. 1 idler pulley as far to the left as it will go and tighten its mounting bolt with a socket wrench to hold it in place temporarily.

5

Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the key groove on the crankshaft-timing pulley faces up. Place the new timing belt onto the crankshaft-timing pulley, oil pump pulley, No. 2 idler pulley and water pump pulley.

6

Turn the crankshaft pulley two complete turns clockwise until the key groove on the crankshaft-timing pulley faces up once again. Adjust the No. 1 timing pulley as needed to keep it aligned with its timing mark. Tighten the No. 1 idler pulley to 31 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench.

7

Install the bracket for the right engine mount. Tighten the bracket bolts to 38 ft. lbs. and tighten the thru-bolt to 52 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Connect the insulator for the right engine mount and tighten the insulator nuts to 38 ft. lbs. Install the timing belt cover with new gaskets and tighten its mounting bolts with a socket wrench.

If you lost the key for your 1987 Dodge van, you might think about replacing the lock cylinder and use a new key. This is an option for replacement, but the cost of having a cylinder lock changed in your ignition and on your doors could become expensive. There is an easier way to replace a lost key, because Dodge keeps records of the keys used on each vehicle and keeps a master key.

Instructions

1

Write down the vehicle identification number (VIN) for your Dodge van. The number is in the drivers side dash where the dash meets the windshield.

2

Contact your local Dodge dealership, and confirm they offer key replacement services. Some dealerships do not have the equipment to cut a new key.

3

Take your VIN number and your vehicle registration to the dealership. This helps the dealership confirm you are the owner of the vehicle. They can look up the VIN number, get the key code and cut you a new key based on the master key.

The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1979. The 1987 model is a second generation Jetta, which includes 1983 through 1992 Volkswagen Jettas. The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta has a four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine with a single overhead camshaft, which requires a timing belt. The procedure for installing a timing belt is generally the same for all Volkswagen vehicles made from 1985 to 1989.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the battery cable on the negative terminal with a socket wrench to avoid starting the engine. Detach the accessory drive belts and the crankshaft pulley. Remove the cover for the front timing belt and replace the mounting bolt for the crankshaft pulley temporarily.

2

Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket with the timing mark on the rear timing belt cover. Remove the locking nut on the pulley for the timing belt tensioner. Turn the tensioner counterclockwise to reduce the timing belt tension.

3

Install the new timing belt so that the timing mark on the tooth of the timing belt aligns with the mark on the rear cover of the timing belt. Grip the large nut on the crankshaft pulley with an open end wrench and remove the smaller locking nut with a socket wrench.

4

Turn the timing belt tensioner clockwise to place tension on the timing belt. Adjust the tension so that you can twist the timing belt 1/4 turn between the camshaft sprocket and the intermediate sprockets.

5

Turn the crankshaft clockwise by two complete turns until the timing marks align once again. Adjust the tension on the timing belt and align the timing marks again. Tighten the locking nut on the timing belt tensioner to 33 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

6

Install the front cover on the timing belt with a socket wrench and install the accessory drive belts. Connect the cable for the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and check for a growling noise, indicating the timing belt is too tight.