DIY: Replace Your Timing Chain

• Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.

• With the radiator cap removed, drain the old radiator coolant into the drain pan or bucket.

• Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses.

• Remove all the drive belts.

• Remove the fan and fan clutch assembly.

• Remove any brackets attached to the water pump or front timing cover.

• Remove any heater hoses that may be attached to the water pump and remove the water pump.

• Remove the pulley or pulleys from the harmonic balancer.

• Remove the harmonic balancer with the harmonic balancer puller.

• Remove the fuel pump and plug the attaching lines.

• Remove the front timing cover. You may need to remove or loosen bolts from the front of the oil pan.

• Rotate the engine with the ratchet and socket until the timing marks on the gears are aligned in a perpendicular fashion. For the specific timing alignment on your engine, consult a service manual.

• Remove the camshaft bolt or bolts and pull forward on the cam sprocket and timing chain to remove the chain and cam sprocket. With a three-jaw gear puller, remove the crankshaft sprocket. On some engines, it may simply pull off without the use of a puller. Always replace the sprockets when replacing the timing chain, as the old sprockets will be worn from the old chain.

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