Somehow, after nearly 20 years wrenching and 10 years at the same shop, I've never had the misfortune of doing a timing belt and water pump on a 3.2 GM engine. For those that don't know, this engine was used in various Saturn's for years, the Cadillac Catera, and the CTS for 2 model years. It's a very strange, VERY compact 54 degree angle V6. I just had one delivered to the shop, and did a full timing belt service on it before installation. I didn't take any pictures, but this is the timing setup:
![[Linked Image]](https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/attachments/usergals/2019/10/full-79084-37710-cts_timing.jpg "[Linked Image]")
(not my photograph)
It looks relatively simple, but it's not. First, it uses not one... not two... but THREE eccentric tensioners. That's right, all 3 pulleys you see are adjustable eccentric's. The idea behind this is so unusual it's almost genius, and it took me a while to understand. Basically, the large tensioner on the bottom left is the "final tensioner". This sets overall belt tension. You use the two smaller eccentrics to change the effective length of the belt, which ever so slightly adjusts the position of the cam gears. It's really wild, but it really works once you get the hang of it.
You absolutely MUST have the special tools to do this job. I just don't see any way you could do it without. Apparently, these engines are extremely finicky when it comes to timing, and you MUST be spot on. The kit includes a tool which slides over the cam gears and has timing marks which match up to the marks on the cam. There are marks on the rear cover, however they aren't accurate enough to put everything back correctly. There's also a special crank holding tool, a timing belt wedge to keep the belt on the crank gear, and two camshaft locking tools in addition to the alignment tool.
All in all, very slick but very weird. I would definitely not want to do one of these in-chassis, and CERTAINLY not on a FWD. I get shivers just thinking about it.
(not my photograph)
It looks relatively simple, but it's not. First, it uses not one... not two... but THREE eccentric tensioners. That's right, all 3 pulleys you see are adjustable eccentric's. The idea behind this is so unusual it's almost genius, and it took me a while to understand. Basically, the large tensioner on the bottom left is the "final tensioner". This sets overall belt tension. You use the two smaller eccentrics to change the effective length of the belt, which ever so slightly adjusts the position of the cam gears. It's really wild, but it really works once you get the hang of it.
You absolutely MUST have the special tools to do this job. I just don't see any way you could do it without. Apparently, these engines are extremely finicky when it comes to timing, and you MUST be spot on. The kit includes a tool which slides over the cam gears and has timing marks which match up to the marks on the cam. There are marks on the rear cover, however they aren't accurate enough to put everything back correctly. There's also a special crank holding tool, a timing belt wedge to keep the belt on the crank gear, and two camshaft locking tools in addition to the alignment tool.
All in all, very slick but very weird. I would definitely not want to do one of these in-chassis, and CERTAINLY not on a FWD. I get shivers just thinking about it.
