rscone

Good afternoon,
2006 TL 3.2, I replaced my timing belt today and before I complete everything and put it all back together I have a quick question.
If the belt was installed correctly will all my marks(belt and cam pulley) line up after turning the crank a few times? I think I saw a video 2 times around on crank and the TDC should come back to front cam pulley. But the marks on my belt do not match.
I have 2 marks on the from cam and rear cam that aligned with the belt at the install. I am nervous thinking I missed by one tooth with slack near the water pump.
I have cranked the engine by hand a few times around but the marks on the belt and cam pulleys have never come back around to line up.
When I get the front cam pulley to TDC the crank marks look aligned and the rear cam pulley looks aligned, maybe off a fraction. But not a noticeable amount. If there is an issue would the cam marks continue to be further and further off? Each time I checked TDC they are all very close!
Thanks for the help.

restron

that's why we have mechanics, you know that you can destroy your engine

rscone

of course which is the reason for the question.
I may take it to a mechanic. I enjoy the challenge.
photos of my marks at TDC to follow.

rscone

rscone

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Keep in mind the belt marks are totally irrelevant; the only marks you care about are the timing marks on the hard components.

rscone

thank you horseshoez, I think my marks are pretty darn close. so the marks I had on the belts not coming back to line up isn't relevant?
Each time I take the front cam to TDC, the crank mark is aligned and the rear mark is darn close.

rscone

If it were off a tooth wouldn't the markings continue to get worse?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Yes, if the belt was off by a tooth, the timing marks would be a bit further off every rotation.

rscone

Horseshoez, ok, thanks again.
I have rotated it completely a half dozen times and the TDC marks all show the same when I stop front cam at TDC. It's a pain with the plugs in. I am going to remove the plugs and give it another 5-6 compete rotations. If they continue to remain the same I am fairly sure I am good but was nervous when I noticed the slight slack near the water pump that disappeared once I released the tensioner.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Okay, I may be confusing threads here...

If the tooth count on your belt is correct, then numerous rotations of the engine will always return the timing marks to the same spot. In the last 24 hours there was a thread which mentioned the new timing belt was shorter than the old belt; in this case, if the new belt has a different number of teeth, then the timing marks will change for every rotation.

01acls

No the marks will not get worse if the timing is off. It will stay the same regardless of how many rotations. If the timing is revolving then there is no point in setting the timing.

Timing marks are only accurate with the tensioner released. Line up the crank pulley mark dead center only and the Cam's marks are either on or off. There is no between... and yes plugs out for best results. No need to fight the compression.

rscone

all good, fired right up, no issues, no leaks. The rear cam mark is the one toughest to view and looked off but I think it was the angle of view. The job took most the day to put it all back together. The crank bolt removal required heat and 24" breaker bar. I also borrowed neighbors impact which may have helped some but in the end the breaker bar and heat got it off.The engine had 129k miles and all the parts looked original and no existing marks from any TB update. SO I was glad I get this done, TB looked worn and the tensioner snd idler pulley also.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just an FYI-When one marks the belt, the marks on the belts will move as the engine is turned because the belt is traveling a longer distance in a complete revolution.

rscone

Thanks turbo, after reading different blogs my concern was I was looking for all my marks to realign after turning the crank a few revolutions and once that didn't happen I thought maybe I did something wrong.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Realize that everything turned out OK, but just wanted to establish the fact that the marks will move to different locations in case others read the thread.
Personally, putting marks on the belt is a ridiculous idea. Post it on the 'net and others follow.
Hopefully this will help cease that procedure.

Majofo

Rear often springs a tooth back. When you put tension on the timing belt, turn the rear cam back into alignment before slacking the belt over it and making it taut.

rscone

@turbo, so just have all marks aligned and place the belt on the drives, double/triple check they are all aligned once the tensioner is engaged. Easy!! lol
@majofo, yes I had that same issue and just made sure when I placed the belt on the rear sprocket the mark was right on. It was a hassle because the spring would move the sprocket quite a bit forward. I had the belt on the crank and front sprocket under the water pump and marks were perfect but the rear kept springing forward. Definitely a hassle but got it done.

Majofo

Sweet :high5:

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Have used expensive cam sprocket holding tools, but maybe these would work and cause less aggravation:
https://www.etoolpros.com/automotive.../OTC-6678.html