Timing Belt Problems

[term117]

Ok guys I am having a strange problem getting my timing belt on correctly. I used nfpgasmask great guide found here to replace my timing belt and water pump. I replaced everything, put it back together, pulled the pin, and every 3 rotations I lose a tooth on the belt. All 3 of the white lines always match up every rotation but every 3 rotations the notch in the crankshaft timing pulley is one tooth higher then the doted white line. I have redone every step a dozen times and the same thing happens every time. Can someone please help me out with this?

For those interested...
I am using a gates water pump replacement kit I got from eBay FYI = 155$ Shipped
Everything looked identical to the parts pictured in the guide I referenced above.

I was quoted 850$ for parts and labor from my local Isuzu repair shop 350$ for labor(Timing belt and Water pump) If I brought my own kit.

Thank you!

[Scott Larson]

That's normal, they won't line up on every rotation. I believe that issue is covered in the manual. Let's hear it guys...

[MSHardeman]

That's normal, they won't line up on every rotation. I believe that issue is covered in the manual. Let's hear it guys...

I was going to say the same thing, but after re-reading Bart's instructions it looks like they should line up after every complete revolution of the engine. Even after saying (or typing) that, I seem to remember that mine didn't line up after every revolution either (and I followed Bart's instructions to the letter).

Hopefully someone else will chime in.

[VXorado]

Even after saying (or typing) that, I seem to remember that mine didn't line up after every revolution either (and I followed Bart's instructions to the letter).

+1, I remember the same when we did my timing belt.


If you're still concerned, I would count the teeth in the timing belt since its from ebay and could be the wrong size. Also, don't worry about the marks on the belt as much as the position of the cams & crank notches with rotation.

Good luck, I remember how scary it was when I did my timing belt.

[term117]

It says and I quote "Rotate the crankshaft pulley a minimum of 2 complete turns(clockwise) and inspect if the timing marks have returned to the same position(#2 Piston on TDC). If it has returned to the same position" then your done.

It takes 3 rotations for the crank marks to return to the TDC index marks so this makes no sense. Im going to count the teeth on the timing belt to confirm they are the same. Thanks for the input everyone.

I am going to ask nfpgasmask if I can update the PDF guide when I have figured out this problem. If anyone else knows the answer to this please let me know.

[term117]

After reading the TSB here on the timing belt a bunch of times, Im definitely doing it correctly. The guys at tire kingdom across from my house said it should line up and that I must be doing it wrong :-/ told me to find a tsb on it. Do you guys think its ok? From what you 3 said you seem to remember it not lining up but I cant think of any reason it would not, and the tire kingdom people said the same thing... So confused

[MSHardeman]

Like VXorado said, I think the marks on the crank and cam pulley's should be in the same position on every rotation, but that does not mean that they will line up with the marks on the belt every time (if that makes any sense). Just due to the way things are rotating, and the length of the belt, the marks on the belt won't always line up with the marks on the pulley's.

I seem to remember mine doing that when I replaced the timing belt. Marks on the pulley's always ended up in the same place after every rotation, but not necessarily lined up with the marks on the belt.

PM Bart to see if he remembers anything.

[nfpgasmask]

You know, I can't really remember. I definitely remember that the lines do not line up on the old belt. I also remember that the marks are there for new belt installation only. I think the lines do get thrown off as you turn the crankshaft after everything is lined up. But its been so long since I did mine I can't really remember.

Have you watched the videos?

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

OK, if you go back to my instructions and read step 35, your answer is there:

Step 35) Now, just so you are ABSOLUTELY SURE, rotate the engine by hand 2 or 3 times using the large 24mm bolt on the crankshaft pulley and a breaker bar. As you turn the engine, notice the marks on the camshaft pulleys line up with the marks on the engine housing at every full rotation. This is how you know for sure your timing is correct!

Notice that it DOES NOT say anything there about the marks on the belt. So it is my feeling that you are done. The marks on the belt WILL NOT line up, but the marks on the pulleys and the engine housing WILL line up. So just check that and you should be good to go.

Bart

[term117]

Ok I see what you guys are saying, I was looking at the white lines instead of the marks. Everything is lining up perfectly now but... Your guide shows the starting point of the crank shaft to have the circle notch next to the white dot but the TBS guide shows it like this http://bayimg.com/oAnNcaADd. 180 Degrees from how you have it in your picture.

I just redid it like it said the do in the TSB
After rotating it 3 times it currently looks exactly like yours in the picture directly above step 35.

[nfpgasmask]

Yes, what you show in that picture has been an issue of debate. But, what I think we have all discovered, is that my tutorial might technically be "backwards" on the crankshaft pulley, but it does not mess up the timing at all.

So, basically, I think you are done. You just need to not look at the marks on the belt now, and look at the marks on the pulleys and the housing.

HTH,

Bart

[term117]

I figured that it did not matter but just wanted to clarify.

Thanks so much for your input everyone and especially Bart for saving me 400$ . Bart I took a bunch of good pictures and would be happy to clarify some things in the guide if you want. I feel dumb for misreading the guide you made, but im glad to be done with it and I certainly learned a whole lot(And can put the timing belt on by myself blindfolded) now lol. Time to reassemble and test.

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, its very gratifying when you do something this big by yourself and save money. Its funny, I've learned so much since I did mine, and acquired so many more tools, I look back on what I did and its just kinda funny.

Glad it helped, and feel free to send any additional pics to info@isuzugeek.org

Bart

[Jonnie]

...and I certainly learned a whole lot(And can put the timing belt on by myself blindfolded) now lol.

Really? I'm in Tampa. LOL!

Great job!!!

[nfpgasmask]

I'm a USF graduate. LOL.

Bart