Quick timing question

[Casius]

Hey guys, quick question for you, just wondering if this looks ok for timing after a new belt is on. I put the belt on and rotated the engine twice. As you can see the crankshaft is at it's mark, the camshaft one is a bit off, but it looks like no matter what it wouldn't line up perfectly anyway. I seem to remember that the last time I did the belt they didnt line up either but is this within acceptable tolerance

[Bigdog7373]

Take it off and try again. I had the same problem and it was a lot better after i redid it. It wont line up perfectly but that looks like your a whole tooth off. Line them both up to the marks with the belt off then put it on. Like i said, it will be slightly off but not as much as you have. Better safe then sorry. Hopefully youmdidnt pull the tensioner release yet!

[Grip99]

It looks like a half a tooth off which is "in spec"

But BigDog is right about trying to line it up the best you can. Theres ways to manipulate buy moving the cam gear alittle ahead so that the teeth can fall into place leaving the marker right on the spot.

Edit: alittle ahead, meaning half a tooth.

[Casius]

Ya I was thinking of a way to manipulate it, cause its a big time pita as in sure you know. Looking at it it really looks like the alternative is the same amount ahead of the mark, because as you said its like half a tooth. I'll move the cam gear half a tooth ahead tomorrow and give it a go again and see if i can get it to look a bit better. Thanks guys

[diagnosticator]

Since the belt cannot be installed 1/2 tooth off time, the only other aspect that can cause this is the belt tension. Does the belt tensioner have the specified gap of ~8mm? Was the tensioner idler pulley eccentric plate turned in the clockwise direction during basic belt tension adjustment? A 5/16" drill bit, or an 8mm Allen hex driver can be used to set and adjust the tensioner gap, for the correct belt tension. Only a excessively loose belt tension can result in 1/2 tooth cam sprocket lagging the crank. An excessively tight belt cannot cause this issue.

[Casius]

Since the belt cannot be installed 1/2 tooth off time, the only other aspect that can cause this is the belt tension. Does the belt tensioner have the specified gap of ~8mm? Was the tensioner idler pulley eccentric plate turned in the clockwise direction during basic belt tension adjustment? A 5/16" drill bit, or an 8mm Allen hex driver can be used to set and adjust the tensioner gap, for the correct belt tension. Only a excessively loose belt tension can result in 1/2 tooth cam sprocket lagging the crank. An excessively tight belt cannot cause this issue.

Well I haven't unleashed the tensioner on the system yet but yes I jammed a screwdriver in between the tensioner (in the locked position) and the little pulley and then cranked that eccentric plate. I tried basically to do what the Bentley says... Give it a shot again today

[Casius]

Bumped it a tooth and readjusted the tensoiner using an 8mm allan bit, results are pretty damn good now, going to release the tensioner I think. Seems like the cam is leading the crank by a hair

[diagnosticator]

Yeah, looks correct. After the tensioner is released, then turning the crank two revolutions, the tensioner will move all the slack in the belt drive to the side of the belt route that the tensioner is on. The shifted belt slack, will rotate the cam sprocket counter clockwise a little bit.

[Casius]

Guys, thank you all for the answers, John you are a gem to have on these forums.

[walky_talky20]

Also, as the belt stretches slightly with usage, the timing will get closer to perfect. Most 1.8T's I do with a fresh belt end up with the cam "leading" by a spec. Nice Work on DIY'ing, and even better on knowing to ask for a double check on the marks with excellent photos.

[Casius]

These forums are the best community there is