How to change an Evo's Timing Belt (4G63 / in car)

In today's episode, we cover the complete timing belt / balancer belt / water pump and related accessories installation on my Evo 8. I tried to be as thorough as possible so that this job wouldn't seem as intimidating if you are planning to do it yourself. It's definitely more challenging doing this job with the engine still in the car, but we'll go over each step required. If you learned something new, don't forget to like & subscribe - preciate it!
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Contents.
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - Removal of front passenger wheel, drain coolant
1:23 - Removal of accessory components
2:35 - Serpentine belt removal + pulleys
5:07 - Removal of timing belt lower cover
5:25 - PS pump / bracket removal
6:19 - Set TDC
8:07 - Timing belt removal
9:51 - Balancer belt removal
10:20 - Water pump removal
11:58 - New water pump install
12:40 - New balancer belt install
13:14 - Tensioning balancer belt
14:53 - Reinstall crank sprocket and accessories
17:30 - Verifying the Front balance shaft phase
18:56 - New timing belt install
19:38 - Setting timing belt tension
21:52 - A little break
22:07 - Reinstalling everything we took off
26:14 - First start
26:49 - Outro

[@nicwithum3894]

Thanks for putting this video together! 16 year owner here and just got done with mine myself for the first time. Just brought the laptop out, pulled up your video, and hit play pause throughout the whole process. For those getting ready to do this save yourself the headache and get the crank timing tool. I didn't have one and broke the sprocket trying to get mine off. STM FTW with quick shipping on a new one.

[@supercarmio]

Man I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for the kind words & for watching 🙌

[@ZeberrrHD]

If anyone is having trouble with the crank bolt, which is what I ran into, mine was stuck on there, my impact could not get it off. There are two ways to get it off, first is get a specific 22mm socket for taking off crank/harmonic bolts, they are $10-$20 on amazon. Or you can go to autozone and and borrow a tool for free, the tool is "OEMTOOLS Fan Clutch Holding Tool Part # 57270", you can use the crank pulley bolts to attach it to the sprocket and hold the crank while you break loose/torque down the crank bolt. Also great video thanks for making it!

[@supercarmio]

Thanks for sharing! glad you liked the video 🙌

[@Crypto_Cronies]

This was the most detailed video out there. You deserve more subs! Thank you, yoh and boosted films are the OGs. Not a ton of evo technical content

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate the kind words man! Glad to have helped out. Looking to make some more Evo content soon. 🙌

[@LancerEvo97]

I always had a hard time understanding how to set that stupid tensioning pulley, i have to do my t.belt on my evo 9 soon, this video made me feel alot more confident going into it, as one passionate evo owner to another, your efforts are much appreciated

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate the kind words! Good luck with the job on your Evo :)

[@zakthornton7488]

Bro your a legend for putting this video up, I used it to do my cambelt and water pump with no issues or surprises. I can't thank you enough for putting together such a well informed and thought out tutorial 👍 😊

[@BrunerTuner]

Video is great man, super clean and concise. Glad to see more content from you. I can really appreciate how much work all of this is now that I film and edit too. Love seeing the Evo, keep up the great work Carmine.

[@supercarmio]

Dude thanks so much, appreciate the support. It's definitely a lot, but it's pretty fun too as you know. I have a pretty backlogged queue right now, gotta catch up on your vids! 🙌

[@BrunerTuner]

@@supercarmio I do know that for sure! You did a superb job of explaining and breaking this down. I still get envy over your Evo and RX7, btw. I have a lot backlogged as well, time is a true commodity..but hope we see more soon!

[@mannynguyen4490]

Great tutorial! Thanks for adding great content for the Evo community!

[@supercarmio]

🙌 Anytime man. Appreciate the kind words. Hope to get some more Evo vids out soon

[@benalbert4232]

Perfect timing bro, I just bought an Evo a few weeks ago. It’s at 130k, it definitely needs a new timing belt because idk when it was last done. I’m happy I subscribed to you the other week. I’ve watched all the Evo videos so far. Thank you so much man! I will continue to support you!

[@supercarmio]

good stuff man! really appreciate the sub & support. glad they are helping out - let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like to see covered in the future. 🙌

[@z400racerr910]

Great video man, detailed af but also really quick and to the point

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate it!

[@menversusteam3839]

Damn that was intense!!! Really great job documenting it, will prove to be very helpful when I get to mine...

[@supercarmio]

Thanks man, glad to help out!

[@craigj5901]

My 8 is due a cambelt and balance shaft belt change . Think I'll stump up some cash . That video has got me sweating lol. Great video superb documentation and how calm you remain . 😂 Haha

[@kakushinkitchen]

Amazing video! I have an EVO 4 and this helps me a lot to know what I'm getting into :) Thank you!

[@supercarmio]

Thanks, glad to help out! Love IVs, I want an older Evo so bad :D

[@tommyfacekicker]

Great video. Very informative and great camera angles.

[@supercarmio]

Thanks man!

[@peachy4699]

Thank you so much. The video has been so helpful! Can you please share the tool you have for the timing belt tensioner? The rod you inserted

[@supercarmio]

Glad to hear it! Here's a timing belt tool kit: www.extremepsi.com/store/Extreme-PSI-Timing-Belt-Tool-Kit-4G63T-DSM-and-EVO-1-9-NEW.html Or are you referring to the pin on the tensioner itself? If so that is included with a new tensioner. If you don't have one, I think you could probably get away with a small allen key. 👍

[@humbertoarteaga3858]

Wow, I’m about to do this job and this video was very informative. Thank you

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate it -- good luck!!

[@craigcotton4978]

Just want to say a great video and helped when replacing my cam belt tensioner. Biggest pita for me was the lower cam cover and the water pump pully bolts 🤦

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate it! Yeah honestly one of the most challenging aspects is simply the lack of room. My knuckles hated me 🤣

[@babylon6g]

loved this video. just finished doing timing on my 7.

[@supercarmio]

Thanks man, really appreciate the feedback 🙌

[@jethrox827]

Mate, brilliant video record of a task many pay a lot for. I did mine when I had the motor built, I also had the balancers turned down and did my oil pump too

[@supercarmio]

cheers man! I'm glad you liked it. what kind of setup are you running now? would love to build this one up more in the future. 👍👍

[@jethrox827]

@@supercarmio mild set up, carrillo rods, cp pistons, wrist pin upgrade, s2, id1300x, 460 wal, e85 fpgreen, 430hp

[@supercarmio]

@@jethrox827 that sounds awesome, I think that's the sweet spot for these cars. will definitely be doing something very similar.

[@ericscomputerhoek2798]

Great video! I am replacing the timing belts on my 1992 Galant and the instructions are basically identical. The crank bolt was so stuck I wanted to make sure what direction it's supposed to turn. Well, now I know.

[@supercarmio]

Thanks a bunch, appreciate the kind words. Hope the rest of the job went well!

[@101thedarkknight]

Great job man, really helped me out!

[@supercarmio]

appreciate it - glad to help where I can 🙌

[@michaeljovanovic8546]

One of the best Evo timing belt videos. Fantastic work with the clarity of each step and the bolt annotations with size and torques was greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your effort in making this video.

[@supercarmio]

I appreciate those kind words so much! Glad to have helped out. Thanks for watching 🙌

[@ArodPR]

Thank you, very well done video explanation

[@supercarmio]

thank you 🙏

[@K3BANG]

Thanks for the video man! Big help, just need to find out where to get those special tools from...

[@supercarmio]

Anytime! I used the Jay Racing kit - www.jayracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17_229&products_id=214

[@ChrisGoorbarry]

If you don’t mind me asking, what small torque wrench is the one you are using? I always have issues fitting a torque wrench in there because is so tight.

[@supercarmio]

No problem at all - I totally get it, it was a pain finding one that could pretty much get anywhere. Here's the one I was using: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M12284X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@marcwilliams9588]

Great video. Was wondering if you made the crank gear holder or did you get it from somewhere?

[@supercarmio]

Thank you! I ordered one off ebay here: www.ebay.com/itm/MITSUBISHI-CRANK-TIMING-TOOL-DSM-4G63-ECLIPSE-GALANT-STRATUS-SEBRING-2-4L-4G63T/143976353582

[@simonscott9072]

Great video 👏

[@supercarmio]

appreciate it! 💪

[@erik_caves]

Good stuff bro 👍🏼

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate it my dude!

[@edwardkeoghan5544]

Hi cheers for the all the effort could you tell me the type and size of bolts and distance between holes for the crank bolt tool please

[@supercarmio]

for sure! the size of the holes are 8mm, roughly 39.5mm between the center lines of them.

[@momoblancino3597]

Great vid! What's the tool called with that you measure the pressure on the balance shaft belt? I've been searching something like that but could only find it to pull, not to push.

[@supercarmio]

Thank you! "Pencil type tension tester" - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJEGXK6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@401nate2]

Thanks for the video! Will be attempting my first timing job on a evo 8 soon! Might I ask which in/lb torque wrench you used as well as where you got the crank sprocket lock that was used when reapplying the crank bolt? Thank you!

[@supercarmio]

Np! My apologies for the late reply, not sure why I didn't get a notification. Here's the torque wrench: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M12284X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 And crank tool: www.ebay.com/itm/145542559502?itmmeta=01HPW8W5M4WZ2Q3SF8678KDZ86&hash=item21e303370e:g:CS8AAOSwUV9Wn9xy&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8JRQpZshtd9cowEuKaO%2FO30vLtrDBXxuy3967gjd3yqq7SCka66%2F608wFfD6PK9XtuMkpACZqrkrPxMfK%2Fphwk7dK60DubpduOUFLWR0WzQpqz4NKpPcuP7IbE3vhHHx1M1%2FFRskC%2BLwWKQJLcFnSOmBXqHp5TUkvr9Y7wl1S2VjV4pcGkDishOGLv%2FCyrwGfGF00I0T6aj4Z7M0pYC72YmAZI6w10huACiJvNw8KokSFNRUnnkHcrfEsJiDRDjbzgBATYvI07IvqOvj0Hp8CPe6Es3fEPBTnOfTQjVjClmhl9i%2B%2FoOQzg2kFA9fqFGDzw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6Ta8Ii3Yw Good luck!

[@401nate2]

@@supercarmio thank you so much!

[@jetjockeyjosh]

Dude you are the best!!

[@supercarmio]

🙌 appreciate it man!!

[@ltskinol]

Very nice - thank you!

[@supercarmio]

anytime man!

[@ihatejavier]

Hey so I just bought a 7 bolt that was freshened up so timing wasn’t done too long ago and my water pump pulley was wobbling so since the motor is out of the car I’m gonna be installing a new water pump and re timing it now my question is Do I have to re time the balance shafts or can I skip the balance shafts since they were done recently ? -thanks

[@supercarmio]

If the balance shaft belt was replaced recently, I'd probably leave it as is. Just make sure they are in the correct phase when setting timing - should be super easy to verify with the motor out.

[@masterofclutches]

Any issues with applying the water pump silicone with the water pump gasket? Asking cuz a lot of other videos don’t show any silicone being used. I’ve seen certain gaskets react incorrectly if being used with silicone. I do see you were following a shop manual. Did the manual say to use the silicone ?

[@supercarmio]

No sealant needed or called for, however, I've always used it for the tact to help the gasket stay in place. I've used it on pretty much all my cars w/o any issues.

[@screamerchaotix5182]

Excellent, excellent video. I'm doing this project now. In trying to remove the crank bolt, though, I accidentally rotated the crank itself. The cams were locked but hopefully I haven't broken anything. I think I'll try removing the balancer belt with the bolt still on before I buy a new impact. Then hopefully I can just line up the crank/rear balancer timing marks and put everything back together. Fingers crossed!

[@supercarmio]

Appreciate it man! Good luck with yours :)

[@screamerchaotix5182]

@@supercarmio I'm making great progress thanks to you! I wound up getting an impact with 1400lbs of breakaway torque. It had that bolt off in a second flat. You seriously have no idea what a huge help this video is!

[@supercarmio]

@@screamerchaotix5182 Glad to hear it! Keep at it! 💪

[@screamerchaotix5182]

@@supercarmio One question, if I may...at 05:54 you have the little wire going to the ps pump disconnected. How the heck did you get that connector off? I've tried squeezing it, poking it, twisting it, cursing at it, asking politely, and nothing. It's such a small wire I don't want to apply too much force but I don't see any obvious release tabs.

[@supercarmio]

@@screamerchaotix5182 haha i know exactly the one you’re referring to - ps pump pressure switch. it is a huge pain somehow 😂 IIRC I believe I used a small pick

[@KJ-lc1sd]

great video, thank you! Where did you get all the parts?

[@supercarmio]

Thanks for watching! STM Tuned

[@dvcavall]

Can you list where you got the Crank sprocket holding bar. Thx

[@supercarmio]

Sure, good call - I found it on ebay when searching "4g63 crank timing tool": www.ebay.com/itm/MITSUBISHI-CRANK-TIMING-TOOL-DSM-4G63-ECLIPSE-GALANT-STRATUS-SEBRING-2-4L-4G63T/144375830479

[@gerardoevoviii6419]

Grqcias me ayudo mucho tu video sigue subiendo contenido asi

[@supercarmio]

Anytime! 👍👍

[@jeffreyalston8647]

Great video thank you!

[@supercarmio]

Anytime!

[@jeffreyalston8647]

@@supercarmio I've had two timing belt changes over the past 18 years at the dealer in New Jersey. Now I'm due for my third change this month. :-)

[@tbr0915375646]

Amazing video! how much mile that we need change EVO8's belt?

[@supercarmio]

Thank you! 60k mi or so

[@tbr0915375646]

@@supercarmio Thank you!

[@rphatskinz4683]

Thanks 🙏

[@supercarmio]

no doubt 🙌

[@mrsukwoo8257]

Did your crank sprocket come right out or did you have to use the puller?

[@supercarmio]

It did slide off without too much effort.

[@masterofclutches]

At 21:00. How did you keep 31 in lb on the special tool and then switch your torque wrench to the lock bolt? Did you just gauge out where to hold the wrench? Sorry if this sounds confusing.

[@supercarmio]

That's pretty much exactly what I did! Used my smaller torque wrench to move the tool until hitting that torque rating, then held it in place w/ a open ended wrench while using my bigger torque wrench to torque the bolt. 👍

[@masterofclutches]

@@supercarmio thanks for the response. Great video. Would love some more vids.

[@supercarmio]

@@masterofclutches Planning to get some more Evo content out once it warms up! Thanks for watching

[@Kennybintegra]

How long was that plate to hold the crank when torquing

[@supercarmio]

Overall it was 10", 7.75" to the holes roughly

[@tacosaladone22one]

Hey man just curious how long it took u to do this. I'd like to do it at my apartment parking lot but if it's going do be multiple days then it might cause issues with the building management.

[@supercarmio]

It took me a few days but most of that was having to setup lighting/shots etc. If you have all of your tools ready to go, prepped in terms of steps/have a gameplan, and also have all of the parts ready to go, you should be able to do it all in one day. I would just start as early as possible and run through all of the steps in my head/take notes before the day comes.

[@tacosaladone22one]

@@supercarmio appreciate it man

[@supercarmio]

@@tacosaladone22one np!

[@MikeOwen91]

Great video, thank you for making it. Can I ask, is it possible to fit the balance shaft belt without removing the 22mm crank bolt and sprocket? It looks like it could be replaced quite easily without having to remove all of that (and I've also read that it can be slipped through and fitted without removing the crank sprocket). I just wondered why everyone bothers removing the crank bolt?

[@supercarmio]

Thanks man! I believe it is indeed possible if you remove the tensioner and move the crank sensor out of the way. Technically the manual states you should degrease everything and lube up the crank bolt with some oil. Whether that's 100% necessary I can't say but I definitely wanted to clean the area up since there was coolant everywhere from the WP 😂

[@MikeOwen91]

@@supercarmio I have just changed my timing belt (and balance belt and accessory belt) using your video and I can confirm I was able to change the balance shaft belt by removing the sensor, and by rotating the crank several times to get the old belt off the crank sprocket, and to get the new belt on. It needs rotating as the timing blades stop you getting the belt off and on otherwise. Thought I'd just update you.

[@supercarmio]

@@MikeOwen91 Thanks for the update! That is a cool shortcut, especially since the crank bolt can be a PITA to remove. How did everything go?

[@MikeOwen91]

@@supercarmio well all went smoothly apart from 2 issues: 1) was the special screw in tool to relieve timing belt tension... when I tried to remove it just kept turning. I had to get grips on it and do quarter turns pulling with all my weight... Ended up removing it bent and cross threaded. I have no idea what happened as it screwed in absolutely fine. I won't be using that method ever again as it's scary to think it might have snapped off in there. 2) At some point, when undoing something (I think maybe the idler pulley bolt), I must have knocked the oil pump sprocket and chipped a little bit of the plate thing off. I can see from your video you obviously did the same thing. I had no idea it was such a soft material. Hopefully I won't need to replace that whole sprocket as a result, as that's going to be a PITA and extra expense. What do you think? Again man, thank you so much for this video, it was great.

[@supercarmio]

@@MikeOwen91 Glad to hear you got it, crazy about #1 - that tool seems to be hit or miss. Yeah, I noticed that as well - it seems like a super soft metal. I don't think it should impact anything though - I hope. Anytime man! 💪

[@SLOEVOIX]

Need that tool used to tighten crank pulley bolt😢

[@supercarmio]

It's a game changer haha

[@bradduong2561]

How long would you say a job like this should take?

[@supercarmio]

I would expect a full weekend day, I'm sure you could do it faster but I wouldn't really want to rush. Out of the car would be much easier/quicker for sure.

[@JaysEvo8]

What wheels are those? I like the lip.

[@supercarmio]

Thanks! Advan RG-D 18x9 all around. Loved that set!

[@joeltorres4127]

Okay so as I’m taking off the crank pulley I realized I took off the timing belt first then took off the 4 bolts without loosening then prior to taking off the belt, now I am having trouble taking off the crank pulley, any suggestions?

[@supercarmio]

Maybe try wrapping the old belt around it, and hold it tight with one hand & use an impact on the bolts. Hopefully the old belt will provide some tension on the pulley to hold it in place.

[@joeltorres4127]

@@supercarmio thanks will definitely try it out, you’re a legend for still replying to comments man

[@supercarmio]

@@joeltorres4127 Appreciate it :)

[@757SuperSteve23]

Do you have to use the tensioner tool when you set tension?

[@supercarmio]

The one with the two pins used to spin it CCW? If so, I've heard of people using other methods but the tool is pretty cheap and makes it super easy.

[@757SuperSteve23]

@@supercarmio no the other tool to hold the tensioner arm in place. End goal is to have the pin move in and out freely? If so, mine does that and I forgot to use that tool. My problem is timing belt whine and I think it's because it's too tight

[@supercarmio]

@@757SuperSteve23 ah got it. I have heard of some doing it without it. Yes, that is definitely the end goal. If it slides in/out freely it should be in spec. You could verify be measuring how much the piston is protruding though. In my experience if the belt is under or overtensioned - in both cases the pin will not go in freely. Do you have a balancer belt? OEM timing belt or aftermarket?

[@757SuperSteve23]

@@supercarmio oem 9 belt and greddy bs belt

[@supercarmio]

@@757SuperSteve23 If possible, I'd check the balancer belt tension. And temporarily remove the serpentine belt to eliminate that from the equation as well.

[@AngelHernandez-yc5en]

Hey bro. Just replaced my timing belt and now I'm getting a rough idle. Car sounds like it's cammed. Some help would be greatly appreciated.

[@supercarmio]

Sure. First I'd double check that all of the timing marks line up. Second I'd verify that both plugs for the coil packs are plugged in. Last I'd check for any vacuum leaks. That should be a good start.

[@AngelHernandez-yc5en]

I'll double check. Is it crucial for cylinder #1 tdc to be on compression stroke or it doesn't matter as long as it's at tdc?

[@supercarmio]

@@AngelHernandez-yc5en Yeah I wouldn't think it would matter. As long as all marks line up.

[@AngelHernandez-yc5en]

Awesome. Thank you

[@car-lo]

How come you didn't change all the o ring gaskets on all of them since you are there already. Imagine if you started leaking.

[@supercarmio]

Which ones?