
First, remove the timing belt of the Peugeot 408. Then, align the marks on the two large gears at the outer end of the camshaft. There is a mark at the twelve o'clock position. After alignment, there is a scale on the plastic housing at the crankshaft end below. Rotate the crankshaft to align it with the zero scale. Once the timing is aligned, reinstall the belt. Below is more information about the timing belt: 1. The timing belt is a crucial component of the engine's valve system. It connects to the crankshaft and ensures accurate intake and exhaust timing with a specific transmission ratio. Clearly, the belt's lifespan is shorter than that of metal gears, so it must be replaced regularly. Belts are used instead of gears for transmission because they produce less noise, have minimal self-variation, and are easier to compensate. 2. Different vehicle models have different methods for aligning the timing belt. Generally, there are marks on the camshaft gear disk and crankshaft gear disk that need to be aligned. However, it is recommended to refer to the vehicle's repair manual for specific alignment methods. 3. The timing belt connects the camshaft and crankshaft, controlling the opening and closing of valves and the rotation of the crankshaft and the up-and-down movement of pistons. If the timing belt is not aligned correctly, it can lead to incorrect valve timing and piston movement. Minor misalignment may cause insufficient power and vehicle shaking, while severe misalignment can result in valves and pistons colliding, damaging both components. In such cases, the engine will fail to operate and require major repairs.

I remember the last time I tried to locate the timing belt myself, the whole process was quite a test of patience. The first step is to set the engine to top dead center. I found the notch on the crankshaft pulley and aligned it with the fixed mark on the engine block. Sometimes, you need to slowly turn the crankshaft with a small wrench—don’t rush or apply too much force to avoid scratching the parts. Then, there’s also a small hole or mark on the camshaft pulley that must align with the indicator point on the valve cover. This is crucial; if it’s not aligned, everything will be off. When installing the new belt, loosen the tensioner first, make sure the belt wraps around all pulleys without twisting, and then use a tool to adjust the tension to a moderate level—pressing down with your finger should allow a 5-10 mm deflection. After finishing, manually turn the crankshaft a few times to check if the sound is smooth, and finally, do an ignition test. I recommend checking the owner’s manual or watching tutorial videos before starting. A mistake could lead to bent valves, which are expensive to repair. In short, be careful—the whole process takes at least two hours.

I failed once when trying to replace the belt myself, but now I've learned the proper method. For the Dongfeng Peugeot 408, first turn off and cool the engine, then slowly rotate the crankshaft to the top dead center position using a wrench, making sure the notch on the crankshaft aligns with the engine block mark. There's also a mark on the camshaft end, which usually needs to match a fixing pin—this is easy to overlook, and I didn't align it correctly last time. Before installing the new belt, ensure the tensioner is loose, then use the adjuster to tighten the belt to the right tension—too tight and it wears out quickly, too loose and it slips. After the operation, rotate the shaft two full turns and recheck all marks, repeating the confirmation to avoid misalignment. Basic tools like a socket set and a work light are needed for the whole process, and refer to the manual pictures if the positions aren’t clear. If it feels too troublesome, don’t force it—getting a professional mechanic to handle it is much easier. A small mistake could lead to hefty repair costs down the line.

Aligning the timing belt is actually quite simple with a few steps. First, position the engine correctly. For the Peugeot 408, there's usually a top dead center mark on the crankshaft pulley—align it with the reference line. Then, match the notch on the camshaft pulley to its corresponding point. When installing the new belt, route it around all pulleys and adjust the tension. Finally, rotate the crankshaft to test for accuracy before completing the job. The key to the process lies in precise marking and patient operation to avoid major mistakes.


