Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2003 Mazda 6 L4-2.3LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Torques & Sequences
ENGINE TIGHTENING TORQUES


CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS

Measure the length of each cylinder head bolt.
- Replace any that exceeds maximum length.
Length L 149.0 - 150.0 mm (5.86 - 5.90 inches)
Maximum 150.5 mm (5.92 inches)


Tightening bolts in order shown
Tightening torque 8.0 - 11.5 Nm (81.6 - 117.2 kgf-cm, 70.9 - 101.7 inch lbs.)
INTAKE MANIFOLD TORQUE
Torque: 8.0-11.5 Nm (71-101 ft lb)
CAMSHAFT BEARING CAP TORQUE & SEQUENCE

Loosen the camshaft cap bolts in two or three steps in the order shown in the figure

Tighten the camshaft cap bolts in the order shown with the following two steps.
Tighten to 5.0 - 9.0 Nm (51.0 - 91.7 kgf-cm, 44.3 - 79.6 inch lbs.)
Tighten to 14 - 17 Nm (1.5 - 1.7 kgf-cm, 10.4 - 12.5 ft. lbs.)
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TORQUE


- Install the M6 x 1.0 bolt by hand.
- Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the crankshaft is in the No.1 cylinder TDC position (until the balance weight is contacting to the SST).

- Hold the crankshaft pulley using the SSTs.
- Tighten the crankshaft pulley lock bolt in the order shown following two steps using the SST (49 D032 31 6).
1) Tighten to 96 - 104 Nm (9.8 - 10.6 kgf-cm, 70.9 - 76.7 ft. lbs.)
2) Tighten 87° - 93°
- Remove the M6 x 1.0 bolt.
OIL PUMP TORQUE AND SEQUENCE

Tighten the oil pump bolts in the order shown.
Torque: 8 - 12 Nm (82 - 122 kgf-cm, 71 - 106 inch lbs.)
Tighten the oil strainer bolts
Torque: 8 - 12 Nm (82 - 122 kgf-cm, 71 - 106 inch lbs.)
EXHAUST MANIFOLD TORQUE & SEQUENCE

Tighten the exhaust manifold installation nuts in the order shown.
Torque: 19.1-25.9 Nm (2.0-2.6 kgf-m, 14-19 ft lb)
WATER PUMP TORQUE
Tighten the bolts to the specified torque
- Torque: 10 Nm (102 kgf-cm, 89 inch lbs.)
Then tighten them further 85° - 95°.
CYLINDER BLOCK LOWER BLIND PLUG
Torque: 18 - 22 Nm (13.3 - 16.2 ft. lbs.)
CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS
Measure the length of each cylinder head bolt.
- Replace any that exceeds maximum length.
Length L 149.0 - 150.0 mm (5.86 - 5.90 inches)
Maximum 150.5 mm (5.92 inches)
Tightening bolts in order shown
Tightening torque 8.0 - 11.5 Nm (81.6 - 117.2 kgf-cm, 70.9 - 101.7 inch lbs.)
INTAKE MANIFOLD TORQUE
Torque: 8.0-11.5 Nm (71-101 ft lb)
CAMSHAFT BEARING CAP TORQUE & SEQUENCE
Loosen the camshaft cap bolts in two or three steps in the order shown in the figure
Tighten the camshaft cap bolts in the order shown with the following two steps.
Tighten to 5.0 - 9.0 Nm (51.0 - 91.7 kgf-cm, 44.3 - 79.6 inch lbs.)
Tighten to 14 - 17 Nm (1.5 - 1.7 kgf-cm, 10.4 - 12.5 ft. lbs.)
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TORQUE
- Install the M6 x 1.0 bolt by hand.
- Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the crankshaft is in the No.1 cylinder TDC position (until the balance weight is contacting to the SST).
- Hold the crankshaft pulley using the SSTs.
- Tighten the crankshaft pulley lock bolt in the order shown following two steps using the SST (49 D032 31 6).
1) Tighten to 96 - 104 Nm (9.8 - 10.6 kgf-cm, 70.9 - 76.7 ft. lbs.)
2) Tighten 87° - 93°
- Remove the M6 x 1.0 bolt.
OIL PUMP TORQUE AND SEQUENCE
Tighten the oil pump bolts in the order shown.
Torque: 8 - 12 Nm (82 - 122 kgf-cm, 71 - 106 inch lbs.)
Tighten the oil strainer bolts
Torque: 8 - 12 Nm (82 - 122 kgf-cm, 71 - 106 inch lbs.)
EXHAUST MANIFOLD TORQUE & SEQUENCE
Tighten the exhaust manifold installation nuts in the order shown.
Torque: 19.1-25.9 Nm (2.0-2.6 kgf-m, 14-19 ft lb)
WATER PUMP TORQUE
Tighten the bolts to the specified torque
- Torque: 10 Nm (102 kgf-cm, 89 inch lbs.)
Then tighten them further 85° - 95°.
CYLINDER BLOCK LOWER BLIND PLUG
Torque: 18 - 22 Nm (13.3 - 16.2 ft. lbs.)
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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