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This is my first time doing this job so I wanted to double check with all of you about TDC. I rotated the engine around a few times and then brought the camshaft mark to TDC as outlined in Clarks Garage. I also checked the bellhousing OT line and to my eye, it looks pretty good. Any suggestions or things that look glaringly wrong? Anywhere else I can check to verify?
Looks good... but.. my favourite place to check is at the *bottom* of the bellhousing. There is a small square hole and the mark is much clearer than viewing from the top. I would recommend a flywheel lock (remove starter and install).
When putting the new belt on, it is surprisingly easy to be confused why the cam isn't lining up just right. On Youtube, edredas has a great tutorial on how to put the belt on and goes over the whole "take up slack" thing. A good watch
Yeah, looks like you are at TDC. Be careful when lining up the BS belts also…you’ll know if you’re off if you get a vibration instead of a smooth vibration less engine.
Seattle, it’s funny you mention that! See a year and a half ago, I noted on this forum as one of my first posts that my car was running a little rougher after the belts were changed by a shop here in SC. The shop did a fine job on Timing Belt, but when I finally got in to it, the Upper balance shaft cog was about half a tooth to a tooth off. It was never extreme or worrying, just a bit rough. I thought I might have imagined it, but I hope the car is much smoother when I’m done with it!
Thanks for the clean picture! I’m going to ask another question because the new water pump is on and the belt is tensioned according to the Arnnworx tool. If I can turn the engine over by hand, is it fair to assume nothing catastrophic will happen when I start it up? If there was valve - piston contact, it would bind and not move, correct?
If your reference cylinder is at the top of its stroke while the marks line up and you rotate the engine around by hand with no noise then your looking ok by any book.
As long as you can rotate by ratchet by hand you are good. I normally rotate twice, check all the markings, and if the balance shaft belt is off a tooth, I’ll reset and rotate again. Good stuff.
Update: thanks for all the help on this topic! I got everything put back together today and the car started up just fine! 5 Bar of oil pressure, no interference, idled for about 15 seconds and then I shut her down. Thrilled to have completed my first Timing Belt and Water Pump job, it even felt like she was idling a little smoother than before. The Arnnworx tool was worth its weight in gold from a confidence stand point, highly recommend it to anyone who is looking in to doing this job themselves.
Show us some pictures of the completed belt install if you'd like to know if you have all the bits arranged correctly. I am surprised by the number of variations of the assembly that are possible and yet the engine will still run.
Congratulations on performing the TB/BB job! The first time is always a little harrowing until the engine kicks over into a smooth idle and that warm sense of accomplishment comes over you. Why do dealers charge +/- $3,500.00 for that service...??? It's a timing belt job today, a clutch replacement tomorrow, then a fuel tank drop; after a while, it all becomes academic. That's why we're all here on this (and other forums). Good job.
01-14-2022, 05:22 PM
Am I At TDC? - Timing Belt & Water Pump Job
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