- The timing belt cover is located on the front of the engine. It is held in place by a few bolts. Remove the bolts and take off the cover.
2. Set the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.
- Turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise until the timing mark on the pulley aligns with the "0" mark on the timing belt cover.
- Insert a screwdriver or other suitable tool into the spark plug hole of the first cylinder to make sure the piston is at TDC. The tool should reach the top of the piston if it is at TDC.
3. Loosen the timing belt tensioner.
- The timing belt tensioner is located on the front of the engine, near the crankshaft pulley. It is a spring-loaded pulley that keeps the timing belt tight. Use a wrench or socket to loosen the bolt that holds the tensioner in place.
4. Remove the timing belt.
- With the tensioner loose, you can now remove the timing belt. Start by removing the belt from the crankshaft pulley. Then, work your way around the engine, removing the belt from the other pulleys.
5. Put the new timing belt on.
- Start by putting the new belt on the crankshaft pulley. Make sure that the timing marks on the belt align with the marks on the pulley. Then, work your way around the engine, putting the belt on the other pulleys.
6. Adjust the timing belt tension.
- Use a wrench or socket to tighten the bolt that holds the tensioner in place. Tighten the bolt until the timing belt is snug, but not too tight.
7. Reinstall the timing belt cover.
- Put the timing belt cover back on and replace the bolts. Make sure that the cover is snugly in place.
8. Start the engine and check the timing.
- With the new timing belt installed, you can now start the engine. Let the engine run for a few minutes and then check the timing again. Make sure that the timing marks still align. If they do, you have successfully set the timing belt on your 1986 Toyota Corolla.
