help! NEW timing belt question

**Overboostin** · 08-29-2008 07:23 PM

I'm in the middle of doing my timing belt. I have the tick mark lined up on the accessory pulley, and the two cams look like they are at tdc. However, when I go to put the cam lock bar on, it doesnt line up. It is slightly angled above one of the cams. What should I do?

edit: I took the eight bolts off the accessory pulley. It wont come off. Do I need to take off the big multipoint star in the center that you use to turn the crank?

**Overboostin** · 08-29-2008 09:36 PM

someone must know

**Reich** · 08-29-2008 09:58 PM

Sorry to say that but i did'nt use the tool. I've put good marks everywhere, remove the old one, put the new one with binder, water pump n stuff. I have bared the engine several turns to make sure the pulleys always comes back to there marks. I don't recomand you to do this since a litle mistake and bang. Take this post as a bump.

Good luck.

**HighDesertAudi** · 08-29-2008 10:06 PM

Go by the cam lock bar that's what it's for. Are you using the crank lock pin? Sometimes the mark on the crank pulley isn't exact.

**Overboostin** · 08-29-2008 10:14 PM

^I'm using the cam lock bar. When the bar is in place the mark on the crank is about 3mm to the right of the mark on the engine.

**02alltoad** · 08-29-2008 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Overboostin

^I'm using the cam lock bar. When the bar is in place the mark on the crank is about 3mm to the right of the mark on the engine.

lock the crank and then your 100% on tdc then the bar lines up the cams

**DJHWK7** · 08-30-2008 08:57 AM

When I did mine, the tick marks were off as well. Once the timing belt went on and everything was buttoned back up, the harmonic balancer lined up TDC.

**AAAA** · 08-30-2008 09:09 AM

it can be off, that's why there are the two straight marks on either side of the arrow on the plastic cover behind the pulley. because it gives you that small margin of error. if your car was running fine, and you haven't messed with anything to get it out of tdc, then line it up so the bar goes on (make sure your bar isn't bent or bowed) and leave it there, you should be fine