Thoughts on faster start after timing belt/water pump change?

[cj80cruiser]

With the help of a friend I got my timing belt and water pump changed yesterday. I immediately noticed a much faster crank. I've been thinking for years that my slow start was due to a fuel pump on the way out but I never got around to buying a new pump.

The verdict is still out on whether this was the fix but so far it's been the answer.

Starting was strong before but just took a second or two longer than it should to crank. Could belt stretch have caused this? Any thoughts?

 

[T4R2014]

Maybe the old/worn rollers and bearings cause more resistance?

 

[cj80cruiser]

Maybe the old/worn rollers and bearings cause more resistance?

That crossed my mind but it didn't sound sluggish before like it was getting bogged down. It sounds exactly the same on start up as it did before except for the noticeably quicker crank.

My waterpump was a little worn out and not nearly as smooth as my new pump. The other pulleys felt like they were in really good shape.

You could be right and that slight resistance made it crank slower.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Did you change the tensioner?

The reason I ask is that a buddy and I changed out his timing belt on his Mazda Protege and during the breakdown, we came to find out that the tensioner had been pushed to its limit. After new belt, pump, tensioner, and a couple of other items, we put it back together and he swore the car started quicker.

It really wasn't as hard as thought was it? Good job.

I wish we could get the timing belt and works changed on this site to make it run faster.

 

[Kenworth]

Crank

If you had battery disconnected while doing belt change it may be you got a better connection???

 

[cj80cruiser]

Did you change the tensioner?

The reason I ask is that a buddy and I changed out his timing belt on his Mazda Protege and during the breakdown, we came to find out that the tensioner had been pushed to its limit. After new belt, pump, tensioner, and a couple of other items, we put it back together and he swore the car started quicker.

It really wasn't as hard as thought was it? Good job.

I wish we could get the timing belt and works changed on this site to make it run faster.

Yes the tensioner was almost maxed out. The belt had definitely stretched.

If you had battery disconnected while doing belt change it may be you got a better connection???

That's a good thought but my connections were pretty clean.

 

[hopdup]

Belt stretch...as the belt stretches it changes the valve timing. Meaning it would take a few more rotations of the engine to build sufficient cylinder pressure. With the new belt your valve timing is tighter. Cylinders building sufficient pressure with less crankshaft rotations.

 

[quickinowicki]

I'm doing my timing belt on Sunday. Any aha moments? Tips?

 

[cj80cruiser]

I'm doing my timing belt on Sunday. Any aha moments? Tips?

Not really. Everything was pretty straight forward with no surprises except the mounting surface for the waterpump. It had a bit of a rough spot that I had to polish up before laying the gasket down.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Belt stretch...as the belt stretches it changes the valve timing. Meaning it would take a few more rotations of the engine to build sufficient cylinder pressure. With the new belt your valve timing is tighter. Cylinders building sufficient pressure with less crankshaft rotations.

This is the main reason, timing belts and chains stretch (chains just take longer) and affect valve timing. I bet you'll notice a little better performance as well because the timing is closer to where it needs to be.