mooseboy84

I had to remove the timing belt on my 96 ES300 to replace the cam seals.

Upon reinstalling the belt, I got all the marks correctly aligned, BUT, when I manually turned over the engine one full revolution, the belt marks were not aligned. (a full revolution of crank, two 360 turns) The TIMING of the crank and cam gears were correct and still in order, but the belt marks were not in sequence.

So, thinking something was wrong I ordered a new belt tensioner,-- the T shaped one, not the belt tensioner pulley.

Reinstalled the belt, and the same thing happened.

So im wondering maybe my belt is worn down etc? This is a belt I replaced 4 years ago and has about 30k on it. The car sat for a year and im getting it working again...I got an autozone belt... (these belts are rubbish and 1/2 tooth off on marks) reinstalled everything and the damn same thing happens with belt being misaligned with marks of sprockets.


Does the belt "float" on the timing sprockets/pulley? As long as timing is aligned, you rotate the crank clockwise two turns... do the marks need not line up? I know this seems like a ridiculously simple thing, but honestly I have no idea, I know timing marks on gears are supposed to align, but what about belt?

Thanks

mooseboy84

So after more research, the answer to my own question is "yes" the belt is designed to float around the gears so that is wears evenly, so when you rotate the belt the marks (on the belt) will get screwed up and not in alignment.

Kauz

Just FYI...The timing belt doesn't float over the CAM gears. It's just that the line marks on the belt are intended for the initial timing alignment when you're installing the belt. However, after you turn the crank, even two full turns, the markings on the belt will not end up in their original position where you installed the belt. This is because the belt doesn't travel its full length and back to the same position even if you turn the crank two full turns.

So, make sure the marks on the belt are lined up when you install the belt, then turn the crank two full turns clockwise and check the markings again on the CAM gears only.

Hope this helps.

-Kauz

Oro

No, the crankshaft marking should also be back in alignment after a 720 rotation, not just the camshafts. Belt markings are lost at this point, but the cam and crank marks should continue to agree, not the cams only.

This is a reasonably good reference, among many:

http://diyservice-en.blogspot.com/20...on-1mz-fe.html