T-Belt Issue

[FISH HUNTER]

My 93 auto 4x4 was running a bit sluggish, poor mpg, and the timing seemed off (too re****ed), even when I advanced the timing all the way, the motor would not ping, go figure. All the TDC marks were lined up on the two cams pulleys, crank and distributor on #1. Found out the guy before me used an after market t-belt for the RR and the two TDC cam marks were off by a tooth, so the cam was always opening and closing late, you think it would have back fired or something but nothing. You could not tell by looking at the marks as they did line up to the two cam pulleys, but the marks were in the wrong location on the belt (who knew). Put in a new OEM belt and the car has a lot more bottem end and MPG seems better on my first drive around town. I even get a slight ping under a hard accel, with cheap gas LOL. Now that is more like it.

The old t-belt was made by Hatachi.

 

[Even Steven]

It's not uncommon for an engine to run even if the timing belt pulley is off by one tooth. However, it should be noticeable to anyone who is used to the way the engine should sound, even if that person isn't a mechanic. The engine will not feel or sound the same if the timing belt isn't lined up perfectly.

I guess it's good for you that you figured out the problem. It must fee like a different vehicle.

 

[FISH HUNTER]

That was the odd thing, the car idled smooth when warmed up but ok when cold, not that bad. Passed smog with flying colors. I've rebuilts engines, installed NOS and Turbo on my import, rr a diff and tranny, changed a few clutch's and t-belts. I know my engine (lol). The car ran okay and would have a missfire here and there but nothing outstanding that made you stop and think it it was major. I always had a feeling it was a timing related problem but could not pin point it. The mechanic first said the dist was off by one tooth that was a simple answer.