Camshaft Sprocket Timing Off

[Ltrainer28]

I am a very green rookie trying to replace the water pump, main timing belt, and balance shaft belt on my 92 Eclipse GSX.

I have already taken everthing off, except the balance belt. I did not arrange the top marks prior to taking off the belt and I do not know how to align the top marks with the belt off. I was following the Haynes manual and made sure the bottom marks on the balance belt sprocket and camshaft were aligned, but now I believe the top have to be aligned as well. Is there a way to do this with the belt off?

The vfaq procedure by starting the engine for loosening the crankshaft sprocket bolt is way to difficult for me. Is it possible to crank it off with an impact? I definatly need to replace the balance belt but I am leary until I make sure everthing is just right before I attempt to remove the crankshaft bolt.

Thank you for your replies!

Lonny

 

[ZachM31]

well, from my experience, the only way to get the crankshaft sprocket off is to put a wrench on there, 7/8" i believe (it's probably metric, but 7/8" fits on there perfect) anyways, get it snug on to the control arm or something solid, and then flick the car over ... i wouldn't do it now though, since the t-belt is off, you would screw something up, anyways, you dont have to pull the crank sprocket off to change the balance shaft belt, i use to think you did, but one day i just looked at it, and got it to fish around and finally got it set right... anyways, as for the camshaft sprockets, you should have had them somewhat close to where they should be (the dowels pointing up, so it is on the compression stroke) and then line up the marks... now though, i would put the belt back on, tension it, and then get things where you want them... it sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, this kind of stuff takes patience when you want it done right. if you have any questions, feel free, enough of us here have changed our timing belts, so we know what it's like. good luck

just dont try rotating the cams all the way where you want them with the crankshaft timing marks lined up, that has trouble written all over it, and also make sure you check your waterpump for leaks BEFORE you put the tensioner pulley and auto tension on!

 

[Ltrainer28]

Thank you for your reply, but how do you check for leaks in the water pump before putting everything back together? I have just put the new pump on.

 

[huafist]

To line the cam sprockets up, I'd start by putting a LONG screwdriver down each spark plug hole, seeing which pistons are closer to up and which pistons are closer to down. I'd then rotate the crank whichever direction moves the highest piston AWAY from the valves, and stop when all 4 pistons are level in the cylinders. When you get them to this point, you can safely rotate the cams without worrying about bending valves. Once you get them lined up, you can rotate the crank to TDC and install your new timing belt.

As far as the crank pulley bolt goes, yes, you should be able to pop it right off with an impact wrench. The method I used when I didn't have an impact wrench was to take off the flywheel inspection cover between the engine and the tranny and wedge a prybar or a large screwdriver in the flywheel teeth so the crank couldn't turn. Good luck.

 

[ZachM31]

with the waterpump, make sure you siliconed the gasket a day before then put it all together, and bolt it down, then put the radiator back in and fill it up with water, if nothing leaks, you should be fine, then drain it back out and when you get your timing belt done, fill it up with coolant.

 

[steve]

You dont have to pull the crank sprocket off to change the balance shaft belt, i use to think you did, but one day i just looked at it, and got it to fish around and finally got it set right.

Zach, there are differences between the 6 and 7 bolt block that make a difference here.
It's easy to remove the blanace shaft belt on a 7 bolt but you do have to pull the crank pulley on a 6 bolt. (if the belt is intact)

Steve