Timing Way Off, What Could've Happened?

[googoogjoob]

Well I replaced my headgasket and timing belt but when I went to start it up it ran terrible. So I took everything apart again to check my timing marks and they're way off. I know I lined them up better than where they are now so my question is, what could have caused this? I didn't replace any bearings or the tensioner because they looked fine but could they really be bad?
I followed the Haynes manual exactly. I lined the marks up. Rotated the engine by hand. And put it all back together. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[612 Performance]

Since you didn't replace the tensioner whenever you put the belt on it may have seemed tight but if there's too much slack it could slowly work its way out of time. An easy way to check the tension is to try an twist the belt in the lonest section, rule of thumb is you should barely be able to turn the belt sideways.

 

[rlacasse1]

Did you try turning it one more rotation to see if it lines up?

 

[googoogjoob]

Tension seems fine. I'm going to give it a go one more time then if it's still messed up I'll cave in and buy a new tensioner and bearings.

For the mean time though, does anyone have any tips on lining up the timing marks correctly? It took me like 2 hours last time and I was wondering if there's a secret to lining them up. I found it hard to tell if the cam marks were parallel with the block like they should be and the right angle to look at the mark on the crank. I could really use some advice with this. Thanks

 

[brian9397gsx]

Did you line the gears up wrong? reason I ask is I believe the gears were also used on the 2.4l and have 2 sets of marks.

 

[googoogjoob]

Nope. I'm pretty sure they were right. Both said 2.0 liter on the outside and the marks face each other. I used this 2GNT.com - PROPER_TIMING_MARK_ALIGNMENT as a reference

 

[mchustle]

that sucks, i hate timing so bad. The person that did mine lined up the crank before the cams and bent 4 intake valves. I really hope you didnt bend any valves, but I would do a comression test. Mine was the same way, on a 4g, all lined up ran like crap checked for fuel and spark had them then compression test showed 0 on 1 and 4. Needless to say i just got my head back from the machine shop with my new valves and timing it agin tomorrow. And if you dont have a compression tester they are only around $20, and they are a great investment.

 

[FearlessNick]

I just got do e replacing two intakes. And timing was easy for me. Reason why my belt got ate up was cause the pully bracket broke in half. Good thing i had and extra from my old engine. But you want to crank by hand of course. What i do to make tuming easy is take off the caps for the cams and try to line em up best i can.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[googoogjoob]

Well I think I'm going to get it right this time. I highlighted the marks on the cams. Made 90 degree marks on each cam and where they should line up with the back cover. Then used vice grips to hold them still while putting the belt on. Hopefully I can get the crank to line up right though. That seemed to be the hardest part last time since it moves when you torque the tensioner bearing. Now I'm just waiting on my friend to come over and help

 

[Gruff511]

this works for me

"timing belt trick" - Team-2G Mitsubishi Forum

 

[googoogjoob]

That works too. Haha. Pretty cool trick. Thanks

So I think I have everything lined up and right but I wanted to post some pics just in case. Also how hard should it be to turn the engine over? With no spark plugs. Like part of the revolution is hard then it kinda just springs forward. Is this just the pressure of the valve springs?