1994 kh laser timing belt crank bolt

280 · 02-09-2018, 11:06 AM

Hi all. I am currently changing the timing belt on my KH laser 1994 1.8 efi engine.

I have looked everywhere but I cannot find which way to turn the crankshaft bolt(the one near the harmonic balancer)to undo it.

On this engine it needs to be undone to remove a plate to allow the timing belt to slip off the bottom pulley. The bolt is not listed as a spare at any auto shop I've called, so I cant get a look at one.

Any knowledge / help greatly appreciated.

Thanks 280

foxtrot3 · 02-09-2018, 11:18 AM

Hi. In over 40 years in the auto trade I have never seen a crank bolt that isn't a normal r/h thread. That being said I can't for the life of me remember if we had to pull the crank bolt on my sons mazda when we did the water pump. Cheers MD
PS Just remembered, we didn't change the belt as it still looked new from the engine rebuild from the prior owner but We had the pulley off when we did the AC fitting and it was a normal bolt. Cheers MD

falconhell74 · 02-09-2018, 11:28 AM

It's R/H thread the easiest way is to use a beaker bar , rest it against the chassis and crank the engine - don't start it though just "bump" it to crack it.

280 · 02-09-2018, 12:18 PM

Hi everyone.
Thanks for the quick responses. I have just organised a breaker bar. I will go with the right hand thread. Foxtrot3 thanks for that info about typically r/h threads. Good to know.

I will post when its off.

Thanks again everyone.

280 · 02-09-2018, 04:51 PM

Hi
I used the starter motor method. It worked with a three foot breaker bar and the smallest amount of crank I could give it.

Thanks

falconhell74 · 02-09-2018, 06:03 PM

No worries mate just make sure you line up the timing marks before you remove the belt

280 · 02-09-2018, 08:16 PM

Hi

It has all gone well and is back together, but one small
potential problem.

The lower timing belt pulley is located onto the crankshaft with a 6mm square key about 25 mm long.

This key is very snug but is able to move backwards and forwards in the crankshaft / pulley slot about 5 or 6mm. When it does move forward there is only about 10 or 12mm locking the bottom timing belt pulley to the crank. ie 10 or 12mm driving the camshaft.

Is this normal? Someone has changed the belt previously and may have fitted a shorter key. Should I be concerned, or is it normal to have this small amount of key driving the cam?

Thanks