We remove the timing chain when repairing the engine, as well as when repairing timing units
Preparing the car for the task
We install the car on a lift or an inspection ditch and remove the negative battery terminal
Remove the decorative engine cover
Remove the cylinder head cover
We hang out the front part of the car and install it on a reliable support
Remove the right front wheel
Remove the crankcase protection
Remove the right front fender liner
Remove the accessory drive belt, described in the previous article
Set the piston of the first cylinder to the TDC position of the compression stroke, see the article "How to set the TDC of the first cylinder of the Mazda 6 engine"
Unscrew the mounting bolt and remove the crankshaft speed sensor
For clarity, we show all operations on the removed engine
Unscrew the crankshaft pulley bolt and remove the pulley
We unscrew the mounting bolt and remove the upper tension roller assembly with the bracket
We unscrew the three bolts securing the water pump drive pulley, and remove the pulley
We install a reliable support under the engine
Remove the right suspension support of the power unit
We unscrew the twenty-three bolts securing the timing cover
Gently pry off the edge of the cover with a screwdriver
Remove the timing cover
Loosen the bolts of the camshaft sprockets
Checking the installation of the piston of the first cylinder to the TDC position of the compression stroke
Push a thin screwdriver on the ratchet of the chain tensioner through the hole in it, unlock the tensioner
We sink the tensioner rod by pressing on its shoe
And fix the tensioner rod in the recessed position by inserting a suitable rod into the hole
We unscrew the two mounting bolts and remove the chain tensioner
Remove the chain tensioner shoe
We unscrew one lower and one upper mounting bolt and remove the chain guide
Remove the timing chain
If it is necessary to replace the oil pump drive chain, unscrew the mounting bolt and remove the chain tensioner shoe
Unscrew the oil pump sprocket bolt
And remove the sprocket along with the drive chain
We examine the sprockets of the crankshaft and camshafts, as well as the oil pump
If necessary, replace the tensioner shoe and chain guide
We install the timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket, and then on the intake and exhaust camshaft sprockets
Reinstall the tensioner shoe and chain guide
Reinstall the chain tensioner and remove the latch, bringing the tensioner into position
We clean the seating surfaces of the timing cover and apply sealant to the cover flange with a roller with a diameter of 3 mm
Installing the timing cover
Tightening the bolts of the stars camshaft daughters
Install all parts in reverse order
Installing a new crankshaft pulley bolt
We screw the M6x18 bolt through the hole in the crankshaft pulley into the threaded hole of the timing gear drive cover, thereby fixing the crankshaft pulley from turning
We tighten the bolt with a torque of 100 Nm (10 kgf.m) and then tighten it by 90º
After installing the crankshaft pulley, remove the locking bar from the camshafts and the crankshaft locking device
