Page 385 of 392
Fig. 3: Exploded View Of Timing Belt & Components (DOHC Except MX-5 Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 386 of 392
Fig. 4: Aligning Camshaft Timing Marks (SOHC Engines)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:12:44 PMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 387 of 392

Fig. 5: Aligning Camshaft Timing Marks (DOHC 1.8L Engines)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal (MX-5 Miata - DOHC)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain cooling system. Remove radiator hose and by-pass hoses from
thermostat housing. Remove air cleaner intake duct assembly from throttle body to air cleaner filter
housing. Remove splash shield.
2. Remove drive belt(s) and water pump pulley. See Fig. 6
. Align crankshaft pulley timing mark with
cylinder No. 1 at TDC of compression stroke. Hold crankshaft pulley stationary. Remove crankshaft
pulley bolts. Remove pulley. Remove crankshaft pulley hub bolt and hub.
3. Remove cylinder head cover. Remove upper, center and lower timing belt cover. If timing belt is to be
reused, mark timing belt rotation direction. Ensure timing marks on camshaft sprockets are aligned. See
Fig. 7
. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and move tensioner away from belt with spring fully
expanded. Remove timin
g belt.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 388 of 392
Fig. 6: Exploded View Of Timing Belt & Components (DOHC MX-5 Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 389 of 392
Fig. 7: Aligning Camshaft Timing Marks (DOHC MX-5 Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Inspection (All Models)
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 390 of 392

Check timing belt for cracks, peeling, abrasion or other damage. Check tensioner bearing for looseness or
roughness of rotation. Inspect tensioner spring for stretching. Replace parts as necessary.
Installation (All Models)
1. Position notch on crankshaft sprocket to 12 o'clock position (aligned with mark on oil pump). Align
timing marks on camshaft sprocket(s). For SOHC, see Fig. 4
. For DOHC, see Fig. 5 or Fig. 7 . Ensure
crankshaft timing mark is at TDC. Install belt around crankshaft sprocket, then working in a
counterclockwise direction, route belt around camshaft sprocket(s).
2. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and allow spring to apply tension on belt. Snug tensioner lock
bolt. Rotate crankshaft 2 complete turns in direction of normal engine rotation. Ensure timing marks
align. If timing marks are not aligned, remove belt, realign all timing marks, and repeat installation
procedure.
3. On all engines, check timing belt deflection with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to belt. See Fig. 8
.
Ensure timing belt deflection is within specification. See TIMING BELT DEFLECTION
table. Adjust
drive belts to proper tension.
TIMING BELT DEFLECTION
Application(1) Deflection - In. (mm)
1986-89.47-.51 (11.9-13.0)
1990-95
DOHC.35-.45 (9.0-11.5)
SOHC.43-.51 (11.0-13.0)
(1)Deflection measurement is with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to timing belt. See Fig. 8.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 391 of 392
Fig. 8: Measuring Timing Belt Deflection
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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Page 392 of 392
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
A/C Compressor Bracket
MX-3, Protege & 32317-26 (23-35)
MX-5 Miata11-16 (15-22)
Alternator Top Bolt27-38 (37-52)
Camshaft Sprocket Bolt36-45 (49-61)
Crankshaft/Timing Belt Sprocket Bolt
1986-9180-87 (109-118)
1992-95116-123 (157-167)
Power Steering Pump-To-Bracket Bolt
MX-3, Protege & 32327-38 (37-52)
Timing Belt Tensioner Bolt
DOHC27-38 (37-52)
SOHC14-19 (19-26)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Camshaft/Rocker Cover Bolt
DOHC & SOHC (Top)43-78 (5-9)
SOHC (Timing Belt Cover-To-Camshaft Cover)69-95 (8-11)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolts109-152 (12-17)
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
Microsoft
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