Resolved Please tell me I'm not screwed - 2G Timing Belt

[hofmania]

I've been working on replacing my timing belt and removing the balance shaft. For awhile now. I ended up finding a local mechanic to come over and help me out and I feel like something just wasn't done right.

My first red flag was that the camshafts were properly aligned via their timing marks, but the oil pump and the crankshaft were both wayyyy off.

Me being an idiot, I thought, "well I'll just take off the belt and get them to where they need to be". As soon as I cranked the crankshaft, the vfaq flashed in my mind saying DO NOT DO THIS.

First, How can I get my engine back in time properly - crankshaft and camshafts aligned.

Second, Is the plate behind the crankshaft installed backwards? I've been looking at pictures and most of them have the crankshaft being in time when the "fins" are at 3 and 9 oclock while mine appear to be at 12 and 6 oclock. See picture...

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If it is in fact backwards, i'll need to take the crank off again and flip the plate correct?

AFter I get this sorted out I know exactly what to do in terms of the belt and tensioning.

Is anyone out there?!

 

[iceman510]

Yes, that plate looks backwards, because the tooth marks around the edge are made by the balance shaft belt drive gear that is behind that plate.

You will have to take the crank bolt and timing belt drive gear off again to reverse it, the make sure to get all the timing marks set properly (don't move anything without considering piston to valve contact).

 

[hofmania]

That would also make sense as to why the lower timing belt cover was totally eaten alive where the crankshaft sits. I'm thinking this was actually an issue from the previous owner that I'm not just discovering.

So crankshaft comes off, flip the plate.

How do I make sure everything is in time after that?

 

[YZFR1]

Take the crank bolt of and replace the plate the right way. When you go to tension the belt back up. I would start with cam gears, make sure there 39 teeth that bite into both gears. Thats how you know that its not off from the getco. Than run the belt all the way around clockwise. Make sure all marks line up. The trick that works for me every time is to get the tensioner pulley as tight as you can. Crank the motor back 1/4 turn than forward 6 turns per the vfaq instructions. Set the tensioner pulley tension when it all ligns up.

I checked my piston to valve clearance doing it that way and after doing it so many times, i feel like i can do it in my sleep

Good luck

 

[BogusSVO]

Also check your crank sensor, you may have broken it by rotating the engine over with the plate flipped the wrong way.

 

[hofmania]

Also check your crank sensor, you may have broken it by rotating the engine over with the plate flipped the wrong way.

How do I check the sensor? Nothing looks physically broken at the moment...

 

[bradikus7]

Also just an FYI, the oil pump does not have to be timed when the balance shafts have been deleted.

 

[BogusSVO]

How do I check the sensor? Nothing looks physically broken at the moment...

The plate is off set.. it would hit the sensor instead of passing thu it. So if it is not looking broken, you should be fine.

 

[Batman272]

well your on a creek but i think you might be able to reach the paddle if your quick enough. the oil pump does not have to be timed when the balance shafts have been deleted and i dont think anything looks broke. flip that plate, retime and you should be ready to rock and roll. P.S DO NOT STRIP THAT BOLT! i did it and let me tell ya that is something that requires a very steady hand to get off! or you do like one of my friends did and cut a / mark into his bolt and then back it out with a screw driver...... wouldn't suggest it.... sorry im ranting

 

[hofmania]

Ok...feeling a little bit better now.

Timing belt on
Tensioning pulley tightened
Did the 6 spins and am waiting to check the gap

How does my camshaft timing look?

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My only concern is that my crankshaft is not lining up with the timing marks when the camshafts come in time...

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BTW the plate of the crankshaft sprocket was totally on backwards and I believe it was this way when I first got the car.

 

[DSM1G90]

INT is a bit high - CAM marks have to be dead even across from one another.

 

[iceman510]

Is there a reason the crank position sensor is not bolted in?

 

[hofmania]

ha - good catch. Yes, I was looking for the timing mark over there because one of the walkthroughs was for a 1g.

Going to try and tension again tomorrow to hopefully get everything lined up properly.

 

[hofmania]

Consider this resolved! I'm not pretty damn speedy at doing the timing and tensioning the belt. Now I just have to figure out how to get all the auxiliary pulleys (AC, alternator, etc) back on properly.

Big lesson...label all bolts and parts when taking them off

Thanks for everyone who helped put me at ease. Although I'll really only know when the car turns on for real. But by hand, everything cranks nicely.