Repair 7

How to Replace the Timing Belt on a 2002 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car made in South Korea since 1990. The 2002 model is a fourth-generation Elantra, which includes the 2000 to 2006 models. The 2002 Elantra typically has an 1.8-liter engine or a 2.0-liter engine, and the timing belt replacement procedure is the same for both engines. A timing belt synchronizes the camshaft and crankshaft on an overhead valve engine. A timing belt has a limited lifetime and typically needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles.

Instructions

1

Remove any components needed to access the cover of the timing belt on the front of the engine. Disconnect the timing belt cover with a socket wrench. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to bring the No. 1 piston to its top dead center position as indicated by the timing marks on the crankshaft.

2

Disconnect the tensioner for the timing belt and the idler pulley with a socket wrench. Mark the timing belt to show its direction of rotation. Remove the timing belt from the sprockets of the camshaft and crankshaft.

3

Rotate the camshaft manually to align the timing marks on the camshaft sprocket. Place the new timing belt over the camshaft sprocket and the crankshaft sprocket. Connect the idler pulley with a torque wrench and tighten the mounting bolts to between 32 and 41 foot-pounds.

4

Install the tensioner for the timing belt and tighten its mounting bolts to between 32 and 41 foot-pounds. Adjust the tension on the timing belt so that the timing belt bends between 0.16 inches and 0.24 inches when you apply a force of 5 pounds in the middle of the belt.

5

Rotate the sprocket of the crankshaft clockwise one complete turn, so that the timing marks align again. Adjust the tension on the timing belt if necessary and replace the timing belt cover with a socket wrench. Install any additional components you removed in Step 1.