How to Replace the Timing Belt on a '99 Dodge Neon

Dodge recommends changing the timing belt on a 1999 Dodge Neon every 105,000 miles. The Neon 2.0L engine is an interference engine, which means that should the timing belt break or stretch past its useful limit, the valves could hit the pistons and cause extensive damage. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to change the timing belt. The timing belt can be purchased at any Dodge dealer or auto parts store. This procedure also uses special tools, available at a Dodge dealership.

Things You'll Need

• Set of wrenches
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Set of sockets
• 3 mm Allen wrench
• 8 mm Allen wrench
• 6-inch long block of 2-by-4-inch board
• Crankshaft pulley puller No. 1026
• Puller insert No. 6827-A
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and lay it to the side. Do not allow the cable end to touch metal. Raise the front of the Neon and support it with jack stands. Remove the right wheel using the lug wrench. Remove the right inner splash guard using the appropriate sockets.

2. Remove the accessory drive belt around the power steering pump by loosening the locking bolts and the pivot bolt. Pivot the power steering pump to allow the belt enough slack to lift it off the pulleys. Remove the accessory drive belt around the alternator by loosening the pivot bolt and the T-bolt locking nut, then pivoting the alternator to allow the belt enough slack to lift it off the pulleys.

3. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using the crankshaft pulley puller and the puller insert. Pull the crankshaft pulley off. Place the board on the floor jack, then raise the jack enough to touch the bottom of the engine.

4. Remove the right engine mount, using the appropriate socket. Remove the upper torque strut, using the appropriate socket. Unbolt the power steering pump, but leave the hoses attached. Move the power steering pump out of the way. Remove the right engine mount bracket and the lower torque strut, using the appropriate sockets. Remove the timing belt cover, using the appropriate sockets.

5. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the No. 1 cylinder is on top dead center and the timing mark on the camshaft is lined up with the timing mark on the head (12 o’clock position). Push a 3 mm Allen wrench into the tensioner pulley. Turn the tensioner clockwise with an 8 mm Allen wrench, until it locks in position. Remove the 8 mm Allen wrench. Remove the timing belt.

6. Rotate the engine via the crankshaft until the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket is lined up with the timing mark at the 12 o’clock position. Check the crankshaft timing mark. If the mark on the sprocket does not line up with the mark on the block at the 12 o’clock position, turn the engine over once again.

7. Move the crankshaft so the mark on the sprocket is one-half tooth before the top-dead-center mark at the 12 o’clock position above the sprocket.

8. Install the timing belt, starting on the crankshaft sprocket and working in a counterclockwise direction over the water pump, the camshaft sprocket and behind the tensioner. Turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket and the 12 o’clock position above the crankshaft sprocket are lined up, to take up the slack in the belt.

9. Remove the 3 mm Allen wrench, allowing the tensioner to operate. Install the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal, then tighten the crankshaft pulley to 105 foot pounds of torque.

References

• "Timing Belts, Domestic and Imported Cars, Vans and Light Trucks 1974-2000"; Autodata; 2001