Low Power after replacing timing belt - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jcpmoore · 07-15-2010, 01:30 PM

I just recenlty replaced my water pump due to failure after 200,000 miles. In the process I changed everything while I had the engine opened up. The problem I have is that my car has low power at exceleration and then runs fine after the RPM are up. I think I might be a tooth off on the belt after reading Forums. I did the work myself Does anyone agree with this, or is there something else I could check?

Thanks!

white90dx · 07-15-2010, 07:43 PM

It is very easy to check the mechanical timing...

Remove the rubber plug from the timing belt cover, rotate engine to 0* (on crank pully), check if small hole in the cam gear is aligned with the small notch on the head. You may need to spin the crank 360* to get the hole lined up.

You can either use a small mirror to see in there or use a small allen wrench or similar as a feeler to make sure its lined up.

Based on your description, it does sound like the belt is 1 tooth off.

-Charlie

Bonzoscott · 07-16-2010, 05:51 AM

It's very difficult to get the hole and notch to line up while replacing the belt (tight space and can't see well). With the loose belt on and holding the tensioner pressure off. I had to try mine three times. You must make sure it is right before you proceed with assembly.

jcpmoore · 07-16-2010, 10:31 AM

I will pull off the plug and check,I'm sure I am a tooth off, it starts and sounds fine. When I give it gas I hear a little cackle in the exhaust so I'm thinking that I have the timing off. I have experience with older v8 model motors that are a lot easier to work on. I am not lookign forward to getting the top cover off to fix timing. It is better than paying a shop bill tho. Thanks for the relpies.

white90dx · 07-16-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzoscott

It's very difficult to get the hole and notch to line up while replacing the belt (tight space and can't see well). With the loose belt on and holding the tensioner pressure off. I had to try mine three times. You must make sure it is right before you proceed with assembly.

The 3s-fe is a good warm-up to the 3s-gte (two external cam gears) or any of the V-motors...

-Charlie

plongaker · 01-12-2011, 05:16 PM

I am having the same issue after changing the timing belt- really sluggish at low RPMs and under a load.So in order to change the timing, I need to tear off the entire front cover again and advance the belt 1 tooth??? Or can you adjust the distributor to advance the timing??

Bonzoscott · 01-12-2011, 05:48 PM

Nah, you gotta get it right or you'll have low power at one end or the other.

white90dx · 01-20-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plongaker

I am having the same issue after changing the timing belt- really sluggish at low RPMs and under a load.So in order to change the timing, I need to tear off the entire front cover again and advance the belt 1 tooth??? Or can you adjust the distributor to advance the timing??

What you need to fix is the timing of the crank/pistons to the cams, not the distributor/spark plugs. Fix the mechanical timing and everything should just work.

Its only a few bolts...

-Charlie