Timing Belt Replacement - TDC Verification

[TheDurk]

well, half the belts I install don't have ANY marks, so I typically don't even look for them.

I don't think they are as precise as the block marks, thus they are for reference, to get you close. in fact, when I did the belt on my 4runner last year, I didn't pay attention, or even notice the belt marks until after I was done. the belt is on backwards, and the marks weren't anywhere close to where they were supposed to be. it didn't affect the TB job in the slightest.

also yes, ALWAY turn the engine over by hand, 2x and make sure the timing marks line up.

by hand, just in case it is wrong, you wont do major internal damage.

It's non-interference, so wrong won't hurt it no matter what you do (on THIS engine--but a good general rule). And I guess we agree on how to use the belt marks, if they are there and you choose to do so. It certainly can be done without them if one prefers.

 

[jreask]

Thanks, it did give me a little extra confidence that I did have them aligned. I was still nervous when I cranked it up.

I know what you mean by being nervous. You should have seen my face when I finished my 4.7L V8 interference motor last month. You talk about nervous. But, I cranked it up and it ran beautifully. I sold it since. Going to pick another 2003 V8 up on Wednesday. 73,000 miles. Supposed to be a cream puff. We shall see. Good thread.

 

[Myrunr2010]

If you change the tensioner, the special tool will be useless to you. The new ones come compressed with a lock pin inserted. The tool is only used to compress the old tensioner that is being reused so that you can insert a lock pin without removing it from the engine and placing it in a vise.

womp womp, wish i read this before i went and spent the 40 bucks on the stupid tool. Oh well....

 

[TheDurk]

womp womp, wish i read this before i went and spent the 40 bucks on the stupid tool. Oh well....

Perhaps it will come in handy elsewhere. Mine was instrumental in adjusting the jamb in an old door frame I was rebuilding on my house. I made the same mistake--bought it and never used it on the 4Runner.

 

[johnsIslander]

I used my tool but will replace the tensioner on the next TB/WP change. My crankshaft (harmonic balancer pulley) tool was instrumental, however.

 

[Myrunr2010]

Perhaps it will come in handy elsewhere. Mine was instrumental in adjusting the jamb in an old door frame I was rebuilding on my house. I made the same mistake--bought it and never used it on the 4Runner.

We'll durk, sure glad I had it. I had a friend giving me a hand just to try and make things go a little faster. While I was working on the valve cover gaskets he was wrenching on the timing belt. After he left for work I looked and realized he had the timing belt on backwards. I'm not sure that it really makes a difference, I couldn't see a difference in the belt for one direction or the other, but it was worth the peace of mind to spend the 30 minutes and pull it back off and turn it around. The tensioner had already tightened a little, so I ended up using the tool after all.

 

[TheDurk]

We'll durk, sure glad I had it. I had a friend giving me a hand just to try and make things go a little faster. While I was working on the valve cover gaskets he was wrenching on the timing belt. After he left for work I looked and realized he had the timing belt on backwards. I'm not sure that it really makes a difference, I couldn't see a difference in the belt for one direction or the other, but it was worth the peace of mind to spend the 30 minutes and pull it back off and turn it around. The tensioner had already tightened a little, so I ended up using the tool after all.

No difference front to back, except the reference marks on the belt only work one way. But you can install it without using those if it's backwards.

 

[Myrunr2010]

No difference front to back, except the reference marks on the belt only work one way. But you can install it without using those if it's backwards.

I didn't figure it did, but their "instruction" guide that came with the kit said to ensure that the arrows were pointing away from the motor. I didn't have anyone around to ask their opinion of and didn't want to risk it. Made me feel less guilty about buying that little tool too, lol.

 

[TheDurk]

I didn't figure it did, but their "instruction" guide that came with the kit said to ensure that the arrows were pointing away from the motor. I didn't have anyone around to ask their opinion of and didn't want to risk it. Made me feel less guilty about buying that little tool too, lol.

Yeah, the instructions have to say that because if you try and use the marks with the arrows going backwards the motor will never start. But hey, I can see your were dying to use your new tool.