How do you turn the timing belt tensioner to get the belt back on without any special tool. Here it is. I do go through many tools when I have to make something special since what I have does not work or doesn't fit.
Start by removing the shroud, then the fan. Some remove one side of the spark plugs to make rotating the engine easy and not start it, I didn't need to do that. I found disconnecting the coils easier. Remove the battery to get it out of the way to use the breaker bar on the tensioner. Next, goes the radiator fluid then the radiator. Remove the 4 a/c compressor bolts and move it out of the way. Remove the bolt under that and then the 3 smaller bolts to loosen that idler pulley / steering pump unit to be able to get the belt cover off. Remove the upper radiator hose as well. Use a GOOD impact gun to get the bolt out of the harmonic balancer or disconnect the 2 ignition coils and use the starter (very carefully). Make sure the timing marks line up on the camshaft and oil pump when the balancer is at 0. Remove the timing belt cover. I counted 30 teeth on my belt from where it last meshes with the camshaft to the oil pump gear. It would have been easier if I had done that from the oil pump to the camshaft too. Use the 'special tool' to retract the timing belt. Replace the timing belt. Make sure that the 3 gears are still on the marks when you release the timing belt tensioner as it may cause something to move 1 or 2 teeth making the timing either +10 or -10 deg off. Once you are satisfied that everything is set as it was when you removed the old belt, button up the tensioner, timing cover and then simply replace the things in the reverse order which they were removed. You shouldn't have any extra screws (including the one that goes on the outside of the timing cover that screws into the tensioner where you use the 17 mm socket.) Refill the radiator, replace the fan belt and battery and away you go.
If you have any questions, fell free to comment.
