Changing the Timing Belt on a 1989-1995 Suzuki Sidekick

Suzuki does not have a suggested time interval to change the timing belt on a Suzuki Sidekick, but typical trade practice dictates that you replace the belt around 60,000 miles as a precaution. Most vehicles have this recommended interval, so a Suzuki should be the same. The Sidekick engine is a freewheeling engine, which is a good thing because unlike the vast majority, there is little chance the engine will experience damage should the belt come off.

There are several tools required to remove the timing belt, but none of the tools are special. Be sure to have all tools on hand before you start the job, so that you do not have to leave in the middle of the project and possibly forget where you are in the process.

Necessary tools:

¼-inch drive ratchet
Set of ¼-inch drive sockets
½-inch drive breaker bar
½-inch drive ratchet
Set of ½-inch drive sockets

The process:

Step 1: Remove the cooling fan and the shroud, using the appropriate size sockets.

Step 2: Remove the accessory drive belts and the water pump pulley, using the appropriate size sockets. The water pump bolts are tight, so the ½-inch drive sockets should be used.

Step 3: Remove the crankshaft pulley, using the ½-inch drive sockets, followed by the timing cover. The bolts on the timing cover do not have a lot of torque, so use the ¼-inch drive ratchet and sockets.

Step 4: Turn the crankshaft, using the ½-inch breaker bar and the appropriate size socket, until the number 4 cylinder is on top dead center on the compression stroke with the camshaft and crankshaft pulley timing marks aligned. The crankshaft sprocket has a dot directly above the keyway, which should be positioned at 12 o'clock lined up with the arrow on the block. The camshaft timing mark has a dot on the camshaft sprocket that should again be straight up and aligned with a v cut in the back timing cover.

Step 5: Loosen the tensioner bolt and remove the tensioner spring and stud lever. Push the tensioner away from the belt and loosely tighten the bolt.

Step 6: Slide the timing belt off the sprockets.

Step 7: Install the new timing belt counterclockwise, keeping all the tension on the right side away from the tensioner.

Step 8: Loosen the tensioner bolt and install the spring and stud lever.

Step 9: Turn the crankshaft around two times and once again align the timing marks. If the marks are still in line tighten the tensioner bolt to 20 foot pounds of torque and the stud lever to 8 foot pounds of torque.

Step 10: Install all the remaining components in reverse order of removal.