2G 1999 Spyder Crank Position Sensor, balance belt, and timing belt change.

[Flickted]

Hi everyone, I just became a member here because you guys seem to be the right place to go for the right info.

Several months ago my 1999 eclipse spyder died on my way home. being I had a backup car, I just let it sit while I did some research as to what may have caused the issue. After which I decided that the most common cause is the crank position sensor. So I dove into the engine, following every piece of info I could on getting to the sensor. And upon getting the timing covers off noticed a small broken belt, that I later found out was the balance shaft belt. The timing belt was just fine.
So after getting everything taken apart, I decided to replace the timing belt along with the balance belt and crank position sensor.
I got everything put back together as far as the cps, balance and timing belt, ensuring that everything was timed right, based off the many write ups I read, and wanted to test fire the engine before buttoning everything back up.
The car fired right up, and seemed to be idling smooth. I only ran it for several seconds, because the water pump was not belted back up. And during such time, noticed the engine was much noisier than before it went down. Almost sounding like valve clatter.

My question is: Is this normal and will smooth out in time?

 

[Flickted]

Btw, all the timing marks look to be right. And the balance shaft, and oil pump, were set properly.

 

[spyderdrifter]

As a note, you should do replace your water pump along with the timing belt, if you don't it's likely to go out soon after and then you have to redo all the timing again. Do a very good check over the engine to make sure you didn't happen to forget something on or in it. If it's been sitting a while, I would do an oil change as well. Gunked up oil on the lifters could cause some chatter. It's a very well known annoyance of these engines. Also, when doing the timing, when you set the rear balance shaft, there's a little bolt that just closes off a hole on the backside. After setting your timing, you should be able to stick a screw driver into that hole. If you hit the balance shaft, your timing is off. Just another idea for the noise maybe.

 

[Flickted]

Thanks for the advice. I do plan to replace the water pump.
I am concerned that the timing may be off by a tooth or 2. Because I really couldn't find a good image or guide as to how you should set the crank mark. I was having a lot of trouble finding info specific to my stock 4G64 sohc eclipse. So I have been trying to figure it all out based off of other 4G64 powered cars from this era. Am I making a mistake by doing this?
I do plan to check the balance shaft with the screwdriver today.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Do you have the 4g64 head or a 4g63 head? No, you're not making a mistake by asking, or doing it yourself.

Here's a diagram showing the marks, and an engine picture with them, although they aren't fully lined up. Still gives a good image of where they should be.


According to these two images, the cam gear timing mark is in the wrong spot on one of them.

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[motomattx]

Our engine is the newer version on the top, the bottom one is a spring type tensioner, who knows what that one is from, maybe a forklift unless its the 1.8 Sohc.

 

[Flickted]

Yeah, it's all stock, the 4g64 sohc. Timing belts are on the drivers side of the engine bay. Like motomattx said, it's like the top image you posted.
I've tore it back down, and am trying to find an image that will show the exact position for the crankshaft in relation to the marks. There is a v notched into the crank sensor plate, that correlates to the crank gear. But what is bothering me is the line on the engine that is supposed to be used to line the gear or plate to. Do I line the engine mark up to the top of the v, the middle, or the bottom. That could make the difference between a tooth or two being off.

 

[Flickted]

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[Flickted]

Thyose last two images are of my crank, and the timing marks I am talking about.

 

[pauleyman]

Youre a little too far on that crank. Think of a line coming from the center of the crank. It should Point through the notch directly at the tip of that timing mark. You look to be a few degrees to far.

 

[Flickted]

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[Flickted]

In the above 2 images I realigned the marks.
Is this what you were talking about as far as using the center of the crank as a reference, and creating a visual line through the crank gear mark, and the tip of the engine black mark?

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I appreciate it all.

 

[Flickted]

Got the belts back on with the timing marks set the way you described, and everything seemed to line up better. Turned the crank by hand several times, and the marks were still on. test fired the engine, and it fired right up. Revved it a couple times, and the engine seems to be running like before. But still have some clatter. Going to start putting everything back together.

Once I get everything back together, I'll change the oil and see if that helps.

 

[pauleyman]

Yes, what you did was correct.

 

[Flickted]

First off I want to thank everyone for the help you have given.

Wanted to post an update.

The car is back on the road. Had to hammer out a few issues. But it is running fine now. No clatter at all.

Thanks pauleyman, you helped me get the crank mark on spot. After that, everything just seemed to fall into place.