Repair 7

How to Change a Timing Belt on a 1998 Rodeo

Isuzu manufactured the Rodeo pick-up truck from 1988 to 2002. A six-cylinder 3.2-liter engine featuring a double overhead camshaft was introduced for the 1998 model. This type of engine uses a timing belt to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. The most important part of replacing the timing belt is keeping the camshafts and crankshafts in the correct position during the procedure. You must also adjust the tension on the timing belt to the proper level.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable on the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Remove the air cleaner assembly, including the intake duct. Disconnect the upper shroud for the cooling fan from the radiator. Remove the cooling fan from its pulley, and detach the drive belts. Disconnect the upper covers for the timing belt and the pulley assembly for the cooling fan.

2

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to align the timing marks on the camshafts with the dots on the rear covers of the timing belt. The timing pointer on the crankshaft must also align with the mark on the lower cover of the timing belt. Remove the center bolt on the crankshaft pulley with tool No. J-8614-01 and disconnect the crankshaft pulley.

3

Remove the oil cooler hoses from the lower timing belt cover if present, and disconnect the cover from the engine with a socket wrench. Remove the pusher assembly under the pulley for the timing belt tensioner. Push the pusher rod into its socket and keep it retracted with a 1.4-mm wire pin. Remove the timing belt from the camshaft and crankshaft.

4

Adjust the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets to align the timing marks from step two if necessary. Install the new timing belt onto the water pump pulley and idler pulley with a socket wrench in that order.

5

Turn the left camshaft sprocket clockwise to align its timing mark with the white alignment mark on the timing belt. Connect the crankshaft pulley and tighten its bolt by hand. Turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise to create slack between the crankshaft pulley and the right camshaft pulley.

6

Push the pulley for the timing belt tensioner towards the timing belt and install the pusher assembly with a socket wrench. Remove the wire pin from the pusher to allow the pusher rod to protrude from its hole.

7

Turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise by two complete turns and align its timing marks. Fasten the pivot bolt for the timing belt tensioner pulley and tighten it to 31 foot pounds with a torque wrench. Tighten the bolts for the timing belt pusher 14 foot pounds. Disconnect the crankshaft pulley.

8

Attach the covers for the timing belt and tighten their mounting bolts to 12 foot pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the oil cooler hoses to the timing cover if present, and tighten their mounting bolts to 16 foot pounds. Mount the pulley for the crankshaft and tighten its mounting bolt to 123 foot pounds.

9

Connect the pulley assembly for the cooling fan and torque its mounting bolts to 16 foot pounds with a torque wrench. Install the accessory drive belts. Connect the cooling fan assembly and tighten its bolts to 72 inch pounds. Install the upper shroud for the cooling fan, and air cleaner assembly. Attach the negative battery cable with a socket wrench.