1999 camry 2.2 timing belt problem

[Denny9]

Just changed out the timing belt in my 1999 camry 4 cyl. the cam pulley got rotated so I'm not sure where it originally lined up with the belt. I followed the chilton instructions and set the crank pulley at "0" and the dot on the cam pulley at 12 oclock. I even advanced the cam pulley one tooth to allow for the tensioner, so when the tensioner was tight, it was exactly at 12 oclock. I put it all back together and it wont start! popped a little, but is way off on timing. I noticed that if I rotated the crank pulley one rotation and back to "0", then the cam dot is way off, but if I rotate the crank pulley another whole rotation, then the cam dot lines up again. does the cam pulley rotate twice as slow? should I re-install the belt so that it lines up after only rotating the crank pulley one time around?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Denny9

and the dot on the cam pulley at 12 oclock.

There must have been aligning match marks on the cam pulley, 12 o'clock is just not accurate enough. How did you line up the "dot"?

does the cam pulley rotate twice as slow?

Yes.

You'll need to re-align all the marks then rotate the crank two turns to see if all the marks align again.

[Denny9]

On one of the spokes of the cam pulley there was a "s" and a dot, but nothing to line them up with. I just saw another posting that showed that the dot on the cam pulley is actually a hole that you can look through and allign it with a mark on the housing behind it. but still I have the same question... because the crank gear spins twice as fast as the cam gear, then when I set the marks on both gears corretly and then turned the crank one rotating, would not the cam mark be off and then when I turned it on one more rotation.. then it would be lined up again. does it matter which cicle the cam is on?

[Mister_Perkins]

Use a tooth pick, put it in the hole in the camshaft. Align the camshaft so that it aligns with the groove on the cap of the head:

[Denny9]

I just saw another posting that showed that the dot on the cam pulley is actually a hole that you can look through and allign it with a mark on the housing behind it. but still I have the same question... because the crank gear spins twice as fast as the cam gear, then when I set the marks on both gears corretly and then turned the crank one rotating, would not the cam mark be off and then when I turned it on one more rotation.. then it would be lined up again. does it matter which cicle the cam is on?

[Mister_Perkins]

Yes, it goes TDC on the crank side twice. The first time it goes to TDC will be an oil stoke, (cylinders 2 and 3 will be TDC) and the second time it will be on a compression stroke (Cylinders 1 and 4 will be TDC).

Yes it matters where the cam gear and crank gear line up. Your Timing should be aligned with the compression stroke (cylinders 1 and 4)

[Denny9]

I checked that everytime the crank pulley mark passed the "0" on the plastic dust cover, that the #1 cylinder was DTC, so as long as I line up both marks I should be fine?

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Denny9

I checked that everytime the crank pulley mark passed the "0" on the plastic dust cover, that the #1 cylinder was DTC, so as long as I line up both marks I should be fine?

As long as your cam and crank both are Top Dead Center ( cylinders 1 and 4 are both up ) You will be fine.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Denny9

I checked that everytime the crank pulley mark passed the "0" on the plastic dust cover, that the #1 cylinder was DTC, so as long as I line up both marks I should be fine?

There are two DTCs, compression and exhaust, when the crank pulley is connected to the cam pulleys by the timing belt. If the timing belt is not installed then there is only one DTC. It's the closing of the valves that create the compression stroke. If you are on TDC Compression then all the timing marks should align. I think you'll have to start over in timing this engine properly and that means removing the timing belt.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

Yes, it goes TDC on the crank side twice. The first time it goes to TDC will be an oil stoke, (cylinders 2 and 3 will be TDC) and the second time it will be on a compression stroke (Cylinders 1 and 4 will be TDC).

Yes it matters where the cam gear and crank gear line up. Your Timing should be aligned with the compression stroke (cylinders 1 and 4)

Best way to confirm this is to get a long straw and put it where your #1 spark plug is. (remove spark plug)

Once you feel the straw lift up you can let go of the straw and wait until it is at the maximum height (aka top dead center) This will confirm you are on the correct stroke. Look on the lower timing cover as well, once it gets to 0 on the cover, the straw will be lifted to the maximum height as well if it is on the compression stroke

Make sure not to drop the straw in the cylinder while the piston is towards the bottom of the motor. (Cylinders 2 and 3 will be TDC). If you loose the straw in the cylinder you may have to remove the head. So make sure to hold the straw with your hands until you feel the piston starting to push the straw

[Denny9]

Everyone has been so helpfull! thank you sooooooo Much! I tear the beast back down tonight and see if I can make it fire-up!

Cheers

[Mister_Perkins]

no problem, keep us updated on how it goes for you

[Denny9]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

no problem, keep us updated on how it goes for you

I got back into the engine last night and lined up the hole with the straight line on the, made sure #1 cylinder was TDC and the crank pulley mark was at "0" on the timing cover... Put it all back together and it started right up! Yea!!!

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

Use a tooth pick, put it in the hole in the camshaft. Align the camshaft so that it aligns with the groove on the cap of the head:

hmmm, this picture is correct? IMO it shows the WRONG alignment ... the hole should be aligned with the V notch mark a little further on right and not with the round "dot".