We set the piston to top dead centre for correct valve timing when replacing or fitting the timing belt.
On F4R and K4M engines, cylinder numbering starts from the flywheel and not from the crankshaft pulley. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
The following tools are required to carry out the work: 16, 18 sockets, 13 spanner, screwdrivers, Torx E14 socket.
If locking tools are not available, they can be made from the sketches.
We prepare the vehicle to carry out the task.
We remove the right front wheel.
We remove the engine undertray and the right front wheel arch liner (article – Removing the engine undertray, wheel arch liners and mudflaps).
We unscrew the four bolts securing the front subframe bracket to the body.
We remove the bracket.
We remove the auxiliary drive belt (Checking and replacing the auxiliary drive belt).
We remove the right-hand powertrain mounting (Replacing the powertrain mountings).
We remove the upper timing belt cover (article – Checking and replacing the timing belt).
We rotate the crankshaft clockwise using the auxiliary drive pulley retaining bolt.
We set the marks on the camshaft pulleys so that they are in the upper position.
We unscrew the plug of the hole for fitting the TDC locking tool using a Torx E14 socket.
The plug is located to the left of the flywheel in the cylinder block at the level of cylinder one.
We screw the TDC locking tool into the hole.
We turn the crankshaft until it stops.
To lock the camshafts at TDC:
– we remove the throttle body;
– we prise out the camshaft plugs with a screwdriver and press them out of the rear of the cylinder head.
During reassembly we replace the plugs with new ones.
With the piston of cylinder one correctly set to TDC of the compression stroke, the slots at the camshaft ends must be horizontal and offset downwards relative to the camshaft axis.
We lock the camshafts in this position with the camshaft locking tool.
