Re-check timing after timing belt job

[Telltell]

Hey guys. I put in a new timing belt on my 96 2G. I made sure the marks on the camshaft sprockets were dead-on. Now that everything is fully assembled again, how do I re-check the timing?

(I'm assuming that's what the window at the top of the timing cover is for, but don't know how.)

And if the timing happens to be off, could I adjust it?

Thanks guys.

 

[falcon8r]

The timing on the cas should not have changed. This is the timing that the ecm see's. The timing on the driven pullys , you just did. The washer thing on the crankbelt and the case- cams lined up. Add the oil and maybe balance shaft. You got it done. The cam is bolted to computer timing, all the rest is engine. Tres...

 

[river]

The only way to fully check the mechanical timing again is to take all the sh*t off, and then take the timing cover all the way off again and check it. You can only check to see if the cams are still aligned if you only check via taking the cam cover off.

If the marks dont all line up when at TDC then there is no simple way to adjust it. You'll have to redo the timing belt job.

 

[gstryyder]

If you lined up every timing mark right at TDC you shouldn't have a problem. It's a pretty easy thing to do. Only real way to check and see if it is all right is when you put it together. Otherwise you can tell if you jumped a tooth by having your cams not line up perfect at TDC when you pull the top cam gear cover off.

 

[Telltell]

Otherwise you can tell if you jumped a tooth by having your cams not line up perfect at TDC when you pull the top cam gear cover off.

Thanks guys, i think i got it.

I'm not understanding the quoted though. How could the cams line up if i cant set TDC when fully assembled? (And if i could, then i could totally check the timing). Am i reading/understanding it wrong? Please clarify, thanks a lot.

 

[95Eclipse]

With the lower timing cover on you can check a few things to check for timing although the best thing to do is to take the cover completely off to do things correctly.

Make sure the camshaft timing marks line up at center with both dowel pins being in the same location(I think facing up) take the spark plugs off and and stick a long screw driver to see if the #1 piston is at TDC all the way up, take the crankshaft pulley off and you can see the crank's timing marks. make sure they line up. If those line up you can try and spin the engine with a ratchet to make sure everything spins freely before running the engine.
Now the only thing that may be out of time would be balance shafts, if they are you are going to have a lot of vibration, but I don't think you can damage anything.

Hope this helps!

 

[DSM1G90]

Here's a good page to take a peek on this timing issue ..Timing Belt VFAQ ..and follow everything here to the letter...

 

[steve]

Are you asking about a 420A or a 4G63? I assume from your profile that the question is 420A specific.

 

[Telltell]

Hey steve. Your right. Mine is the N/T. And i think the the guys are talking about the Turbo. 'Preciate it none the less

...So yes, its 420A specific

Thanks for helping me clarify that

 

[steve]

I would hope you've looked at Timing Belt VFAQ

Different but not so different from what they've been telling you. It still boils down to turning the crankshaft to TDC and checking the marks on the cam sprockets to make sure they still line up. If they don't then you get to redo the timing belt.

If your asking about ignition timing rather than the mechanical timing, I don't know.

 

[Telltell]

Yep, I've seen that Vfaq. But i was hoping I could recheck the mechanical without taking the drive belts and crankshaft pulley out. It looks like its not possible. Thanks guys.

 

[steve]

I was hoping I could recheck the mechanical without taking the drive belts and crankshaft pulley out.

It looks like the inspection cover is there just so you don't have to remove anything else.

Turning the crank to TDC doesn't require taking them off. You use the ignition timing mark and double check it against the piston in cyl 1. (remove the plug and make sure the piston is at top of it's stroke) then look at the cams through the inspection cover. If the marks line up your good.

 

[Telltell]

The thing is that my 2.0 N/T doesnt have that ignition timing mark. Even at Chilton's it says "For the 2.0L non-turbo engines, it is not necessary to check the ignition timing using a timing light, as the crankshaft position is detected directly and the timing is controlled electronically" [1996-97 VEHICLES]- so I'm guessing that's why.

So I think it wouldn't be as accurate to do it without this timing mark and just estimate when the piston is at the top of its stroke. If I'm wrong, please let me know. Thanks

 

[steve]

There is no estimation involved. You put a long screwdriver into the spark plug hole and watch for it to reach TDC. If the marks aren't aligned turn it over until you hit TDC again and check because you might have been at TDC of the wrong stroke before. (remember the crank turns twice and the cams once for a complete cycle)

 

[Telltell]

Alright steve thanks a lot.

I will try turning the cranshaft pulley (without removing the drivebelts ), and try out the top-stroke trick. I'll update as soon as i get a chance to do this. Thanks again!

 

[bullettdsm]

Crap, been busy.

Ok, the screw driver trick is not going to be accurate enough for you to tell wether or not your arrows on the crank are lined up. BUT it will give you an indication if the timing belt is off by a couple teeth or more.

Yes, unfortunately, there is no accurate way of doing this (minus a dial indicator with the proper set-up) without removing the pulley etc.

I also want you to take a look at this (if you haven't yet);

2GNT.com - PROPER_TIMING_MARK_ALIGNMENT

May help you if you were questioning.

And this may be helpful;

2GNT.com - Timing_Belt_Replacement

I know there are more out there, but I'm just breezing through and I knew of these two off the top of my head. Should help you.

MB

Oh yeah, and there is no ignition timing adjustment for us.

 

[xceler8]

Took me forever to get timing last time with my aem adjustables. I guess some of aem's gears were marked wrong!
get it all aligned and torqued down. be sure to rotate the crank several times and recheck the timing as you do. If it's off as uch asa tooth it shouldnt break anything. The car will idle poopy and you know. It will probably idle low or uneven like you have cams. last time through I had my motor out I rushed it and had to redo it 2 times once the motor was back in. Theres a trick to it, put a hole in your lower timing cover right where the timing mark is on your crank so that you don't have to remove the lower cover each time you redo it. If you also align your underdrive pulley so that one of the spokes isn't blocking the whole at tdc, then you should be set!

Rob

 

[Telltell]

hey thanks guys! nice links too. So yup, i checked my timing marks with the screwdriver trick. They were good. Thanks a lot for coming through with the help guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[Majikterror]

Isn't there a way to check the timing with a gun? There is timing marks on the lower timing cover and on the pulley. Just curious, I just the timing on my car and it runs like $$$$. Then again it always has.

 

[bullettdsm]

Isn't there a way to check the timing with a gun? There is timing marks on the lower timing cover and on the pulley. Just curious, I just the timing on my car and it runs like $$$$. Then again it always has.

Not on the 420a. But yes on your car.

MB