Vehicle Segment:
Compact Sports Coupe / Convertible
Competitors 1996:
Honda Prelude, Toyota Celica GT-S, Nissan 240SX, Ford Probe
Performance Orientation:
Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) performance variant.
Design Style:
Aerodynamic, sporty styling.
Engine Mechanical:
Timing belt, tensioners, idler pulleys, camshafts, crankshaft, seals (front main, camshaft)
Engine Cooling:
Water pump (often replaced with timing belt), coolant hoses, thermostat
Engine Fuel Injection:
Fuel injectors (access during timing belt service), fuel lines (associated components)
Engine Ignition:
Spark plugs, ignition coils (access during timing belt service)
Engine Lubrication:
Oil pan removal (potential for oil seal replacement)
Electrical Engine:
Camshaft position sensor, crankshaft position sensor (access and potential replacement)
Maintenance:
Scheduled timing belt replacement, tensioner and idler pulley replacement, water pump replacement
Repair:
Timing belt component diagnosis, replacement of damaged components, leak sealing (front main seal, camshaft seals)
Troubleshooting:
Symptoms of worn/broken timing belt, diagnosis of timing belt related noises, belt slippage issues
Installation:
Correct timing belt installation, tensioner adjustment, camshaft and crankshaft alignment procedures
Depth:
Detailed step-by-step instructions with diagrams for timing belt replacement, including all necessary component removal and reinstallation.
Diagnostic Level:
Addresses common failure points and diagnostic procedures specific to the timing belt system.
Engine Type:
Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, turbocharged and intercooled
Displacement:
2.0 Liters (1997 cc)
Horsepower Est:
210 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque Est:
214 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) with Turbocharger
ECU:
Engine Control Unit (ECU) for managing fuel and ignition timing
Timing Mechanism:
Timing Belt Driven
Timing Belt Replacement Interval Miles:
60,000 miles or 60 months, whichever comes first (critical for 4G63T).
Tensioner Idler Replacement:
Recommended to replace with timing belt.
Water Pump Replacement:
Recommended to replace with timing belt due to labor overlap.
Engine Oil:
API SG or higher, SAE 5W-30 (check owner's manual for specific turbo recommendations, often 10W-30).
Coolant:
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze, 50/50 mixture with distilled water.
Transmission Fluid Manual:
API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil.
Transmission Fluid Automatic:
Dexron II or III (check manual for exact spec).
Timing Belt Failure:
Non-interference engine design means belt failure does NOT cause catastrophic engine damage, but requires immediate replacement.
Turbocharger Issues:
Oil starvation or clogging can lead to turbo failure, regular oil changes are crucial.
Suspension Wear:
Bushings and ball joints can wear over time, especially with spirited driving.
Clutch Wear:
Wear item, especially on manual transmission models with enthusiastic use.
