Timing Belt: Removal & Installation Mazda MX-5 NA

Removal

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. On Miata, drain cooling system, and remove radiator hose and by-pass hoses from thermostat housing. Remove air cleaner intake duct assembly from throttle body to air cleaner filter housing.
2. On all models, remove drive belt(s) and water pump pulley. Align crankshaft pulley timing mark with cylinder No. 1 at TDC of compression stroke. Remove crankshaft pulley bolts, and remove pulley only.
3. Remove timing belt cover(s). If timing belt is to be reused, mark timing belt rotation direction. Align timing marks on camshaft sprocket(s). see scheme 8, see scheme 9 or see scheme 10. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt. Temporarily secure tensioner away from belt with spring fully expanded. Remove timing belt.

Installation

1. Position notch on crankshaft sprocket to 12 o'clock position (aligned with mark on oil pump). Align timing marks on camshaft sprocket(s). see scheme 8, see scheme 9 or see scheme 10. Ensure crankshaft timing mark is at TDC. Install belt around crankshaft sprocket. Keeping belt pulled tight on right side (facing engine), route belt around camshaft sprocket(s).
2. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and allow spring to apply tension on belt. Snug tensioner lock bolt. Rotate crankshaft 2 complete turns in direction of normal engine rotation. Ensure timing marks align. If timing marks are not aligned, remove belt, realign all timing marks, and repeat installation procedure.
3. Ensure timing marks align and crankshaft is at TDC. Rotate crankshaft 1 5/6 revolutions and check timing belt deflection.
4. On all engines, check timing belt deflection with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to belt. see scheme 5 Ensure timing belt deflection is within specification. See TIMING BELT DEFLECTION table.

TIMING BELT DEFLECTION

Scheme 6

Scheme 7