Vehicle: 1996 MAZDA 626: DX 2.0L L4 GAS-FI-N Content: Engine Service >> Timing Belt >> Timing Belt, Replace 1993-97 626 & MX-6 This engine is classified as an Interference engine. If the timing belt breaks or jumps timing, a piston may contact an open valve. Piston to valve contact may cause damage to the valve, piston and other engine components. In some cases valve to valve contact may be experienced when the timing belt breaks or jumps timing. To avoid belt breakage, replace the timing belt as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer timing belt replacement interval. With the timing belt removed, avoid turning the camshaft or crankshaft. If movement is required, exercise extreme caution to avoid valve damage caused by piston contact. 1. Disconnect and isolate the battery ground cable. 2. Loosen the righthand front wheel lug nuts, then raise and support the vehicle with jack stands. 3. Remove the righthand front wheel and tire, then the splash shield. 4. Remove the power steering pump drive belt and the alternator drive belt. 5. Remove the power steering pump drive belt idler pulley shield. 6. Remove the power steering hose brackets. 7. Remove the water pump pulley. 8. Remove the crankshaft pulley and the timing belt guide. 9. Tag the ignition leads, then remove them from the spark plugs. 10. Remove the spark plugs. 11. Disconnect the oil separator hose from the valve cover. 12. Disconnect the PCV hose from the valve cover. 13. Alternately and evenly loosen the valve cover attaching bolts in sequence, Fig. 1. https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 1/7
14. Remove the engine oil dipstick tube. Discard the O-ring. 15. Remove the timing belt upper and lower covers. 16. Attach a suitable engine support and lifting fixture, then raise the engine slightly. 17. Disconnect the ground harness, then remove the righthand engine support insulator. 18. Ensure the crankshaft sprocket mark is aligned with the engine mark and the camshaft sprocket timing marks (I and E) are properly aligned, Fig. 2. 19. Rotate the timing belt tensioner pulley using a suitable hex wrench, then remove the timing belt tensioner spring. 20. Remove the timing belt from the sprockets. 21. Ensure the crankshaft sprocket and camshaft sprocket timing marks are still aligned, Fig. 2. 22. Install the new timing belt over the sprockets. Ensure the timing belt tension side is taut. 23. Rotate the timing belt tensioner pulley clockwise using a hex wrench, then install the tensioner spring. 24. Rotate the crankshaft two turns in the normal rotation direction. 25. Ensure the crankshaft and camshaft sprocket timing marks are aligned, Fig. 2. 26. Install the righthand engine support insulator, then remove the engine support and lifting fixture. 27. Install the timing belt lower and upper covers. 28. Install the engine oil dipstick tube with a new O-ring. 29. Apply a suitable silicone sealant to the shaded areas of the cylinder head as illustrated, Fig. 3. 30. Alternately and evenly tighten the valve cover attaching bolts in sequence, Fig. 4. 31. Connect the PCV hose to the valve cover. 32. Connect the oil separator hose to the valve cover. 33. Connect the ignition leads to the spark plugs. 34. Install the spark plugs. Torque them to 11-16 ft. lbs. 35. Remove the crankshaft pulley and the timing belt guide. https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 2/7
36. Install the water pump pulley. 37. Install the power steering hose brackets. 38. Install the power steering pump drive belt idler pulley shield. 39. Install the power steering pump drive belt and the alternator drive belt. Refer to "Accessory Drive Belt Tension" for proper belt tension. 40. Install the splash shields, then the righthand front wheel and tire. 41. Lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts. 42. Connect the battery ground cable. 43. Inspect and adjust the ignition timing as required. https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 3/7
Fig. 1 Valve cover bolt loosening sequence. 626, MX-6 & Protege https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 4/7
Fig. 2 Crankshaft & camshaft sprocket timing marks. 626, MX-6 & Protege https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 5/7
Fig. 3 Valve cover sealing locations. 626, MX-6 & Protege https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 6/7
Fig. 4 Valve cover bolt tightening sequence. 626, MX-6 & Protege Copyright 2018 Hearst Business Media. All Rights Reserved. https://vil3.motor.com/home_frameset.aspx?msid=zx54dsakzlopgnc1lhcqiwbk 7/7