How do you replace the timing belt on a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica?

Answer 1

Chrysler Pacifica Timing Belt. 3.5 Liter

This is a very difficult job.

· First jack up the car and put jack stands under for support.

· Remove air filter box.

· Remove front tire and inner fender.

· Put a floor jack under oil pan with a small block of wood and put a light amount of pressure on the oil pan.

· Remove front engine support.

· Remove serpentine belt and the two idler pulleys on the front engine cover.

· Remove three bolts that secure the Power Steering pump. These are accessed through the pulley holes. Remove the three small bolts that hold the power steering reservoir.

· Remove crankshaft pulley. This requires a small three jaw puller. The pulley is a press fit (no keyway)

· There are approximately 20 assorted sized fasteners holding the aluminum cover on that are removed next. One is behind the power steering pulley you removed earlier.

· Now the cover should come right off.

· Using the crankshaft bolt, turn the engine clockwise until the mark on the crankshaft is at Top Dead Center. The crankshaft TDC indicator is at approximately 1:00.

· The camshaft gears also should be lined up with their marks. These are at approximately 12:00.

· Now remove the idler tensioner. It is secured with 2 bolts. The tensioner pushes on the idler pulley pivot bracket.

· Remove timing belt.

· Always replace water pump and fluid.

· Always replace idler pulley.

· Reinstallation of the timing belt is next.

· Be sure all three timing marks are still in the correct spot.

· The manual states you should remove the valve covers and release the pressure on the valves. While this is optimal, if you are careful it is not necessary.

· The tensioner must be reseated by using a bench vice and pushing the pin back into its base. Don't just quickly crush it in a vise. This has to be done slowly. Then the plunger must be secured with a small Allen wrench or pin.

· With the idler pulley pivot bracket "NOT" installed, thread the belt around the other 4 pulleys.

· NOW THE TRICKY PART

· Starting with the rear camshaft pulley seat the belt and route belt under water pump and over the front camshaft pulley.

· Be aware that you will probably need to move the front camshaft with a wrench (18mm), a little during belt installation. This must be done with care, because moving it too far (either way) will allow the spring pressure of the valves to move the cam. USE CAUTION and move slowly. Having your fingers pinched is a definite possibility.

· You must keep pressure on the belt where the idler pulley would be, with your left hand, or the belt will slip on the rear camshaft.

· With the belt taut between the two camshaft pulleys make sure it is taut down to the crankshaft on the non idler pulley side.

· If at this time all the marks are still lined up and the belt is taut, have someone else hold the belt where you were holding it, while you install the idler pulley pivot bracket.

· Once the idler pulley is installed, the belt won't jump teeth.

· Now install the tensioner and remove the Allen wrench or pin you used to hold the plunger.

· If at this point all the marks still look correct, slowly turn the crankshaft (clockwise) with a socket, one full revolution.

· If the marks don't line up you have to start over.

· If the timing marks still look good, turn it one more time to be 100% sure everything is lined up.

· If they still look correct, you are done with the hard part of this project.

· Now install the aluminum cover.

· You will need a longer than factory bolt to press the front pulley back on the crankshaft. Do NOT hammer on the pulley for installation. This can severely damage the crankshaft bearings. Do use the factory bolt for final securement of the front pulley.

· Everything else is just the reverse of disassembly.

Once again this is a very difficult job in tight quarters. If it is not done properly, severe engine damage will result. Only do this job if you're confident in your skills and have the right tools. Hope this made sense and helps someone. Good Luck MGL