djandyg

iTrader: (2)

Iv just installed a new timing belt today and im having trouble with the double lines in the LH (passenger) side cams lining up after turing the engine over by hand.
I lined everything up correctly and installed the belt as per the manual procedure (bottom idler bolted on last) and triple check that all the marks on the belt line up with the cam and crank marks - but once i turn the engine over, the LH cam double lines seem to be a tooth out? iv tried re installing the belt twice. The inlet cam pretty much looks like it needs to be rotated clockwise an entire tooth to bring it inline with the exhaust cam?
I used an ICP locking tool on the LH cams to keep them all in the correct position. Nothing locks up when i turn the engine by hand, but presumably i wont have caused any damage by turning it by hand?
Please help, doing my head in....

2003 blob WRX btw. (non AVCS?)

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

It'll be dead on if your worried turn it backwards two full revolutions then forward one and it will line up 100% I forget you have to turn the engine 700 odd times iirc to get the marks to line up on the belt again.

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

Not worried about the belt marker not lining up, it’s the actual timing marks which are my concern.
Was chatting to one of my mechanic mates about it earlier, he reckons it’s probably down to where the slack is on the belt, which is then causing a tooth to jump on the first rotation of the belt.

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

ANother possible thing Iv just realised is that Iv been turning the engine over without re installing the belt guides....gonna try again tomo with them re-fitted and see if that prevents us skipping a tooth when turning?

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

As per what was said in first reply. It won't make a blind bit of difference if the belt guide is installed or not as it's not installed on the automatic cars anyway. The belt won't jump just as said before turn it back two turns and then forward one and your marks will line up. (This is only for your own peace of mind) The point I was trying to make about the belt marks is that they change 700 odd times before they line up again but they will.

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

Is it actually ok to even turn the engine backwards?

1509joe

iTrader: (2)

Yes 100% ok as long as you go back far enough so it all tightens up when turning the correct way. If you wish go back three turns then forward three turns. From the marks of course.