Chuckinnj

I just finished a timing belt on my 97 ES300 and the old Gates belt was TWO notches (cogs) off from the new Aisin belt........ Should I go with the "factory" marks on the new Aisin belt or go with the transferred marks from the old Gates belt? The cam marks on the Aisin belt lined up between the two cam gears BUT the crank shaft to the front pulley is off two cogs from the crank shaft timing mark. The car starts, runs and idles well but I am concerned I am out of time.
Could the Gates belt that I just replaced have been installed wrong (14 years) 100k. miles ago?
Can I use a timing light to check the timing OR should I start all over and check TDC by pulling a plug.
I have searched threads and some guys claim the Aisin belt marks did not line up so they used the transferred marks from the old belt.
Everything is put back together and the car will not be driven until I make sure I did this correctly..... . . as usual I am "over thinking" if I made a mistake.

LeX2K

Did you compare the belts next to each other? You can't go by the belt when it's on the engine after you initially set it up (engine has been run) unless you get very lucky and the marks happen to be in the right place. Did you verify the mark on the crank as well as the cam gears/marks against the timing back plate?

Chuckinnj

Yes, I compared the old belt to the new Aisin belt when it was off the engine and I also verified the marks on the plate and crank....... All lined up.
I also realize the old belt was "stretched" so I counted the cogs (all 77 of them) from the old belt to the new belt...... Crank to cam #2 (front)
Could this old belt have jumped two gogs over the course of time?
Is there any way to check the timing instead of taking everything apart again and lining everything up again?

pauloil

on any car i did, I would turn the motor's crank over 2 times before starting it, to first check to see if the crank is on its mark and also the cams. so put the crank on its mark and look at the cams. post back what you find. I think you are fine

LeX2K

Of course. Line up the mark on the crank pulley to exactly zero, and look at the cams to verify both are lined up to the indentation in the back plate. If the upper timing cover is installed then remove it, it's easy enough to do.