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2001 Saturn L300 (L81/3.0L V6) - Pre-Question for Head Gasket DIY Replacement
2001 Saturn L300 (L81/3.0L V6) - Pre-Question for Head Gasket DIY Replacement
Hey everyone and I hope that I came to the right place for the correct answer.
I have a GM Saturn Factory Service Manual; however there is a question that I have and don't have a definitive answer and came here in hopes of attaining that answer by somebodies personal experience.
I have so far removed the timing belt cover and was preparing to remove the timing belt with the timing belt kit (the one with the J*69 tool + E20 torx socket + RED+GREEN camshaft lock keys + wedge);
I lined up the TDC (top dead center) marks on the timing belt + camshaft sprockets & it aligns perfectly to TDC. I took pictures after marking it with white out for easy re-assembly.
Since I will be doing more than just replacing the timing belt (replacing it on re-assembly); the factory service manual says to do the procedure in the following order (this is where I get confused).
Currently the keys (RED AND GREEN) are in-between Camshaft sprockets #1 & #2 + Camshaft sprockets #3 & #4. This is at FULL TDC (both camshaft sprockets + crankshaft).
The order of the factory service manual states this:
REMOVAL (Timing Belt Replacement - In-Vehicle):
1. Disconnect negative battery cable
2. Remove timing belt front cover
3. Rotate crankshaft using Crank Hub Torx Socket J42098 (E20 Torx Socket) until #1 cylinder is at 60 degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC)
4. Install crankshaft locking tool, Alignment Tool Kit J42069-10
5. Rotate crankshaft in the engine rotational direction (clockwise) using J42098 crank hub torx socket until #1 cylinder is at TDC and tighten lever arm to the water pump pulley flange.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the alignment of crankshaft is not 180 degrees off. The alignment marks must align with the corresponding notches on the rear timing belt cover.
6. Install 1-2 and 3-4 camshaft locks, J42069-1 and J42069-2.
7. Remove upper and lower idler pulleys.
8. Loosen timing belt tensioner.
9. Remove timing belt.
IMPORTANT: Do not rotate crankshaft if camshafts are not locked in place with 1-2 and 3-4 camshaft locks, J42069-1 (RED KEY) and J42069-2 (GREEN KEY)
IMPORTANT: Do not rotate camshafts unless crankshaft is at 60 degrees BTDC or valves may contact crankshaft.
My confusion is; I marked all the correct timing and cranked the crankshaft using the timing belt kit that I purchased. All lined up and THEN I inserted both RED AND GREEN KEYs. (This was prior to reading the FSM and realizing there was more to this than I originally understood). I never used my angler tool to set the crankshaft 60 degrees BTDC and I am wondering if there are TWO locations that the RED AND GREEN camshaft sprocket locks fit into (TDC) AND 60 degrees (BTDC)?
I won't be able to test for myself until I purchase a new ratchet that will fit my degree angler tool (it doesn't fit between the chassis and the engine block due to the width of my angler tool; the 3/8th to 1/2inch adapters) -- Going to switch to all 1/2 inch and then I will be able to do it if this is true.
I have spoken to others who have said they have only performed a timing belt change and keeping all timing at (TDC) and removing and replacing the belt + tensioners + idler pulley without the 60 degrees (BTDC) went smooth. (Given the fact that I am going to be removing everything to get to the head gaskets; I feel as if this was put into the factory service manual for going beyond a normal timing belt change).