Help Timing Belt

Hello Gentlemen,
I have a 2002 or 2003 Kia Spectra. It has been good to me in the past. Havent had the funds to keep up maintenance on it due to being layed off. One thing really concerns me though that I feel i must addrss....The car has about 84 K on it. Timing belt has never been replaced. I would like to try and do this myself. Can you offer some assistance by telling me how to change the belt myself and precautions to watch for. Despite the fact that I am a girl, I am still handy with a wrench so I feel that i can do this. Do I need special tools to complete this job. Also what are the repercusions of a broken belt if I do not change it soon.

thank you
Dawn

the timing belt is fairly simple to change. The hardest part is to get the motor mount mount off the engine. It is held by 3 17mm head bolts and they are fairly tight.

The engine is not a "valve bender" if the timing belt breaks.

I believe if you check around on the site you can find a link to changing the belt as explaining the whole procedure here would be difficult.

the timing belt is fairly simple to change. The hardest part is to get the motor mount mount off the engine. It is held by 3 17mm head bolts and they are fairly tight.

The engine is not a "valve bender" if the timing belt breaks.

I believe if you check around on the site you can find a link to changing the belt as explaining the whole procedure here would be difficult.
Would you happen to know where these procedures are listed? I performed a search in the Kia section and came up with nothing Thank you for the first bit of infor....it is helpful...is there a trick or specila tools involved with removing these bolts or the timing belt replacement procedure in general?

You will need a metric allen head socket to adjust the tensioner, the size I do not know off the top of my head. Other than that no special tools. everything on Kia is generally 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and 21mm.

As for the specific procedure I do not know where there is a link to one. I am sure a motors manual vehicle specific could help. and its not a bad idea to have it anyway.

REMOVAL 1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Loosen power steering lock bolts and nuts accordingly and remove tension from power steering (P/S) and/or air conditioning (A/C) compressor drive belt.
3. Remove P/S and/or A/C drive belt.
4. Loosen generator mounting bolts and adjusting bolt.
5. Remove generator bolts.
6. Remove water pump pulley.
7. Remove crankshaft pulley.
8. Remove upper and lower timing belt covers.
9. Turn crankshaft so that timing mark on timing belt pulley is aligned with timing mark on engine.
10. Check that "I" mark on intake camshaft pulley is aligned with mark on seal plate and "E" mark on&;nbsp;exhaust camshaft pulley is aligned with mark on seal plate.
Do not move camshaft or crankshaft once timing marks have been correctly positioned.
11. Loosen tensioner pulley lock bolt.
12. Protect timing belt with a rag.
13. Remove tensioner pulley.
14. Remove timing belt.
Mark the direction of timing belt rotation (on the timing belt) for proper reinstallation.
INSTALLATION 1. Install tensioner pulley.
Replace tensioner spring whenever timing belt is replaced.
2. Pull tensioner pulley to its furthest point and tighten lock bolt.
3. Check that timing mark on timing belt pulley is aligned with timing mark&;nbsp;on engine.
4. Check that "I" mark on intake camshaft pulley is aligned with mark on seal plate and "E" mark on&;nbsp;exhaust camshaft pulley is aligned with mark on seal plate.
If existing timing belt is being reused, install belt in proper rotation direction marked prior to removal.
5. Install timing belt onto timing belt pulley first, then idler pulley, exhaust camshaft pulley, intake camshaft pulley, and tensioner pulley in that order.
6. Check that there is no looseness in belt between idler pulley and exhaust camshaft pulley or between intake and exhaust camshaft pulleys.
7. Loosen tensioner pulley lock bolt and allow tensioner spring to apply tension to timing belt.
Do not add additional tension.
8. Tighten tensioner pulley lock bolt to specified torque.
Tightening torque:28~38 lb-ft (38~51 N·m, 3.9~5.2 kg-m)
9. Rotate crankshaft two full revolutions (clockwise only) and align timing mark on timing belt pulley with timing mark on engine block.
10. Check that "I" mark on intake camshaft pulley and "E" mark on exhaust camshaft pulley are aligned with marks on seal plate.
11. If they are not aligned, remove timing belt and start process from tensioner&;nbsp;installation.
12. Measure timing belt deflection by applying moderate pressure midway between camshaft pulleys. If deflection is not correct, repeat from tensioner installation.
Deflection pressure:22 Ib. (98 N, 10 kg)Deflection:0.39~0.50 in. (11~13 mm)
13. Install lower and upper timing belt covers in that order.
Tightening torque:5.8~8.0 Ib-ft (7.9~10.7 N·m, 0.8~1.1 kg-m)
14. Install timing belt guide plate and crankshaft pulley.
Tightening torque:9.0~12.6 lb-ft (12.3~17.2 N·m, 1.3~1.8 kg-m)
15. Install water pump pulley.
Tightening torque:9.0~12.6 lb-ft (12.3~17.2 N·m, 1.3~1.8 kg-m)
16. Install generator belt and adjust the tension.
17. Install P/S and/or A/C drive belt and adjust the tension.
18. Connect negative battery cable.
INSPECTION
Never forcefully twist, turn inside out or bend timing belt. Do not allow oil or grease to come in contact with timing belt.
1. Replace timing belt if it is contaminated with oil or grease.
2. Check timing belt for uneven wear, fraying, peeling, cracking and hardening. Replace timing belt as necessary.
3. Bend timing belt into a "U" shape as shown in figure. Distance "A" must be at least 1.0 in (25 mm).
4. Inspect both idler pulley and tensioner pulley for uneven wear and smooth bearing operation.
5. Inspect camshaft pulleys and timing belt pulley for broken teeth or damage.
Replace any component that shows damage, excessive wear, or that appears prone to a possible failure.

:uhoh:
the idler pullies, the tensioner spring, the water pump, the idler. anything the belt touches except the cam. :popcorn: How you drive determines how many miles you can eeek out of the belt, but they always seem to break at the worst time, like when you're driving to Mom's for t'giving dinner. If it is a non-interface engine nothing truamatic hapens, but an interface bends valves and busts pistions and bend connecting rod. You got me curious and when KIA opens I'll call and find out.
Good luck changing the timing belt. One guy said it took him three hours.