96 Camry- Timing Issue? 5sfe

[ihgrad]

Okay, so I'm a rookie and decided to change my timing belt while replacing the oil and water pumps. I read up on the repair and it seemed basic- the crank lines up to 0 on the lower timing cover and the cam lilnes the hole in the sprocket up with the v-notch in the plate behind it. Since I wasn't puttin the old belt back on and it seemed so basic, I did not note the position relationship between the crank and the cam- from everything I have read, lining the notches should get the timing correct (yes, I went two revolutions on the crank and the marks lined perfectly). No the car will not start. It cranks, then sputters out. Is it posible that the timing on this vehicle is different than the standard specs? The car sat for awhile without oil in it as I work slowly on this project- would that have caused a bigger problem? With the oil pan off, the balancer was exposed- if that had been bumped or "messed" with, could that cause the vehicle to not start? BTW, I already replaced the plugs (with Platinum +2), plug wires, distributor cap, rotor and ignition coil....

[Kep]

"No the car will not start. It cranks, then sputters out."

When you turn the key an engine "turns over" or "cranks" before it starts. When you say "sputters out" it sounds like the car started for a moment. Yes?

I expect that you already have done this but have you checked for fuel and spark? Did you move the distributor body relative to the engine block since the last time it ran well? Was it running well after you replaced the plugs (with Platinum +2), plug wires, distributor cap, rotor and ignition coil.... or did you do those at the same time as the belt? If that all checks out then you probably will need to go back to square one and line everything up again before you put on the belt (just like you were rebuilding it, though it sounds like you did the first time it wouldn't hurt). Don't assume anything is in its correct position.

Luck
Kep

PS: There are two DIYs in the forum sticky:
DIY: 5S-FE Timing Belt Change
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t109966.html

DIY: 5S-FE Timing Belt Change
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t149232.html

[ihgrad]

Thanks Kep. Smack me in the head and call me an idiot- I had the plugs in the wrong firing sequence on the distributor cap. After playing with the timin for WEEKS, I put it back where I put it the first time, put the plug wires in the correct sequence and the darn thing fired right up! Sad thing is, I check the stupid plug wires five times and I said, "yep they're good" every time...STUPID STUPID STUPID! Worse than that, whole reason for the work was to stop oil leaks (oil pan gasket, oil pump, etc.)- come to find out, rear main is leaking (right out of the flywheel cover)- UGH!

[Kep]

That is frustrating. Glad you figured it out. Thanks for the update.

Kep