1996 lumina timeing belt

[fire1290]

Does anyone know the trick to line up the cams on a 96 3.4 when there are no markings on the cam gears?

[jeffcoslacker]

1996 3.4L Engines

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Properly drain the engine coolant into a suitable container.
3. Disconnect the control cables from the throttle body.
4. Remove the fuel injector sight shield.
5. Relieve the fuel system pressure, as outlined in Fuel System of this repair guide.
6. Disconnect and cap the fuel lines from the fuel rail.
7. Remove the fuel mounting bracket.
8. Detach the heater hose and remove the bracket from the lower intake manifold.
9. Disconnect the PCV valve and the vacuum line from the throttle body.
10. Detach the EGR valve electrical connector, unfasten the retaining bolts, then remove the EGR valve from the upper intake and position it aside.
11. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the canister purge solenoid and MAP sensor.
12. Tag and disconnect the vacuum lines from the upper intake manifold tee.
13. Remove the wiring loom bracket from the rear band spark plug wires.
14. Detach the power brake vacuum hose.
15. Unfasten the nuts at the upper intake manifold support bracket.
16. Remove the upper intake manifold, as outlined earlier in this information.
17. Remove the coolant recovery tank.
18. Remove the serpentine drive belt and belt tensioner.
19. Remove the power steering pump, as outlined in Suspension & Steering of this repair guide.
20. Detach the PCM electrical connectors.
21. Tag and disconnect the spark plug wires from the plugs.
22. Remove the wiring harness cover from the right strut tower.
23. Remove the fuel line bracket.
24. Remove the timing belt covers, as outlined earlier in this information.
25. Disconnect the breather hose from the rear camshaft cover and crankcase vent from the breather manifold.
26. Remove the camshaft carrier covers.
27. Remove the bolts and the side plate from the tensioner actuator.
28. Rotate the tensioner actuator from the tensioner actuator pulley socket and out of the mounting base. The removal of the tensioner actuator from the tensioner actuator pulley allow it to extend to its maximum travel.

Do not install a rod tip or tensioner boot in the jaws of a vise or damage to the assembly may occur.

1. Position the tensioner in a vertical position in a vise (rod tip down), then tensioner body in the vise lightly. Allow the oil to drain to the boot end, for at least 5 minutes before refilling.
2. Straighten out a paper clip (0.032 in. diameter, no serrations) to a minimum straight length of 1.85 in. (47mm). Form a double loop in the remaining end of the paper clip.
3. Remove the rubber end plug from the rear of the tensioner assembly. The assembly is filled with oil and removal of the plug may allow oil to escape. Do NOT remove the vent plug.
4. Push the paper clip through the center hole in the vent plug and into the pilot hole.
5. Insert a small screwdriver into the screw slot inside the tensioner, behind the rubber end plug.
6. Retract the tensioner plunger by rotating the screw in a clockwise direction, until it is fully retracted. Push on the paper clip and slowly rotate the screw counterclockwise until the paper clip engages.
7. Remove the timing belt from the vehicle. Remove the timing marks from the camshaft and intermediate shaft sprockets.
8. Rotate the crankshaft to the No. 1 cylinder is at TDC. Mark the timing indicator with white paint or equivalent on the crankshaft balancer and front cover.
9. Position the camshaft so the flat spots are up for installation of tool J 38613-A.

Make sure the bolt hole is free of any debris before installing J 38613-A or the camshaft carrier may be damaged.

1. Install tool J 38613-A on both camshaft carriers.
2. Remove the camshaft sprockets. Remove the bolts, taper lockrings and sprockets by lightly tapping on it with a soft faced hammer.

To install:

1. Install the camshaft sprockets finger-tight.
2. Route the timing belt in a counterclockwise direction around the sprockets. Make sure all of the timing belt teeth are fully engaged with all sprockets.
3. Install the timing belt tensioner actuator pulley. Tighten the retaining bolt/screw to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).
4. If tensioner oil has been lost, fill the tensioner with synthetic engine oil through the end hole. Fill to the bottom of the plug hole ONLY when the tensioner is fully retracted and the pin is installed.
5. Install the rubber end plug to the rear of the tensioner actuator. Push until flush and snapped into place. Make sure the end plug has sealed against the case.
6. Install the tensioner actuator bushing into the side plate.
7. Install the tensioner actuator and side plate. Make sure the tapered fulcrum of the tensioner actuator is properly seated in the tensioner actuator bracket bushing. Tighten the retaining bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

Rotate the pulley into the belt a maximum of 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm) to allow engagement of the actuator shaft into the pulley arm socket.

1. Pull the lockpin and discard. Retighten the pulley to 15 Nm counterclockwise to seat the pulley into the belt.
2. Install both right hand (rear bank) camshaft sprockets. Tighten the bolts to 96 ft. lbs. (130 Nm).
3. Remove tool J 38613-A from the right hand (rear bank) camshaft carrier.
4. Rotate the crankshaft 360ºclockwise while looking at the front of the engine and align the crankshaft reference marks.
5. Make sure both right hand camshaft flats are down, then tighten both left hand (front bank) camshaft sprockets to 96 ft. lbs. (130 Nm).
6. Remove tool J 38613-A from the left hand (front bank) camshaft carrier.
7. Rotate the crankshaft 720ºclockwise while looking at the front of the engine to seat the timing belt and verify correct timing. Make sure both camshaft flat spots are up on one band and down on the opposing bank.
8. Install the camshaft carrier covers.
9. Connect the breather hose to the rear camshaft cover and crankcase vent to the breather manifold.
10. Install the camshaft timing belt covers, as outlined earlier in this information.
11. Install the fuel line bracket and bolt.
12. Install the wiring harness cover at the right strut tower.
13. Connect the spark plug wires, as tagged during removal.
14. Attach the PCM electrical connectors.
15. Connect the power steering lines to the pump.
16. Install the serpentine drive belt and tensioner.
17. Install the coolant recovery tank.
18. Install the upper intake manifold, using a new gasket. Tighten the retaining bolts to 19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).
19. Fasten the nuts at the upper intake manifold support bracket. Tighten the nuts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
20. Connect the power brake vacuum hose.
21. Install the wiring loom bracket for the rear spark plug wires.
22. Connect the vacuum lines to the upper intake manifold tee.
23. Attach the electrical connectors to the canister purge solenoid and MAP sensor.
24. Install the EGR valve, secure with the retaining bolts, then attach the connector.
25. Connect the PCV valve and vacuum line to the throttle body.
26. Install the heater hose and bracket to the lower intake manifold.
27. Install the fuel line bracket and bolt. Uncap and connect the fuel pipes to the fuel rail.
28. Install the fuel injector sight shield.
29. Connect the control cables to the throttle body.
30. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refill the cooling system and refill and bleed the power steering system. Connect the negative battery cable.

[fire1290]

Thanks for the reply. It seems to me I can streamline this a little I hope.Do you know if I can get away without the special tool to hold the cams? Also are there any shortcuts if all I need is to replace the timing belt ? Thanks

[richtazz]

Do not skip any steps or attempt this job without the correct tools. If you get it wrong, you'll bend the valves and ruin the engine.