Fun with Naza Citra

After numerous blogs on technical maintenance, I think a less serious blog would be appropriate, considering that life is not all work. What is the use of maintaining a car in tip-top shape if it is not meant for travelling ? How about travelling to distance land ...... and into the Jurassic era in Kalasin, Thailand.
















On the way to the Korat plateou, where the ancient land lies, we have to cross a mountain range. The Citra took all that in a good stride, considering a fully loaded car with 3 adults, 3 children, luggage and gifts. Not to worry as there are always scenic roadside stops to entertain with good food. With 4000+ km, the Citra managed 13km/litre on the average. Consumption is closely monitored as petrol is RM3.10 per litre in Thailand during this period.


















Our first stop - Phu Kum Khao excavation site, where an almost complete dinasour fossil was found. The stone tablet leads to the entrance of the complex that houses the excavation site.

















Inside the complex, the remains of the sauropod lies asleep. Reminds me of "Aliens"

Immediately outside the excavation site, a life replica of the fossil, which is a Sauropod.

Next, we entered the excellent HRH Sirindhorn Museum, with plenty of resources on pre-historic studies.

As a side trip, we also visited an old temple in the area.

And met the spiritual owner of the place.

Happy travelling on your Citra. Drive safe and be courteous to others on the road.

Naza Citra Timing Belt Re-tension

After 15,000km and 24 months, I decided to check on my Citra's timing belt tension to ensure peak performance. As the intake valve CVVT is driven via the exhaust valve CAM, it is imperative the tension is properly adjusted or there will be a discrepancy between the actual timing and the "readout" at the intake timing cam sensor, leading to incorrect CVVT setting by the ECU (TDC vs actual CVVT setting).

Before removing the timing belt cover, make sure the engine is cleaned of all dirt, especially sand. Any dirt falling into the lower parts will eat into the timing belt gear spaces (ouch!). Refer to my earlier blog on engine wash guidelines.
















This is an overall view of the upper-half of the timing belt after the top cover has been removed. Noticed that it is a single-pulley but twin cam engine. The intake CVVT is driven by a chain drive located at the rear of the exhaust CAM (refer to my attached video).

















The timing belt cover can be removed "as-is", without removing any heavy duty stuff, with exception of the power steering hose, which is displaced to make room by removing a 10mm nut (pictured on the left).















Once the cover is removed, the tension of the timing belt can be assessed. Refer to my attached video on checking timing belt tension. The tensioner is located at the lower left.

{{ Videos on CVVT mechanism and checking belt tension }}

Video 1 : Checking for Timing Belt Slack



Video 2 : Adjusting Timing belt tension, CVVT Mechanism System Overview







As per the Hyundai maintenance manual, the std. procedure for timing belt tensioning translated is:
a. Set the valve timing to TDC with the timing marks aligned at the crankshaft pulley and camshaft pulley
b. Release the timing belt tensioner.
c. Rotate the crankshaft pulley to tension the timing belt.
d. Take up the slack in the timing belt by rotating the tensioner against the timing belt.
e. Tighten the tensioner nut to lock the tension.

(( Good luck and enjoy driving the Citra. ))