Loose timing belt after install

[dave255]

I purchased a timing belt kit online(belt, idler, tensioner, spring, water pump, seals, etc.) and spent a few days worth of free time dismantling, cleaning, reassembling, and installing new parts. Not a hard job, just time consuming. So this afternoon, I finished up, turned the ignition and it started up just great. However I quickly noticed something didn't sound right.

It turns out the timing belt was really loose and was flapping around exactly like the video seen in this thread: Loose timing belt

I first thought that I must have accidentally forgotten to tension the tensioner pulley, but I popped the cover and the thing was at maximum tension!?!? I was incredibly stumped, so I started poking around the kit I bought, paying special attention to part numbers. It turns out the guy sent me a timing belt for a 3SFE engine, not a 5SFE!!! I thought this must certainly be my problem, but after looking around, the two belts for these engines are the same # of teeth, and same length.

Does anyone know if the timing belts for these two engines are compatible? Is there anything else I'm not thinking of that can cause a loose belt? Thanks in advance for your help!

[fenixus]

Well I think the timing belts are NOT same on 3s-fe vs 5s-fe since engine heads are different and bore & stroke values are not same (also different displacement) between them despite lots of similarities.

also it seems Toyota part number for timing belt on 3s-fe engine is 13568-74011 ('89 camry 2.0L)
while for 5s-fe engine it is 13568-79225 ('00 camry 2.2L)

Gates says 5s-fe t-belt p/n is T199 while for 3s-fe it is T138, not sure what exactly is different about them, but they are not same.

[JohnGD]

You actually got the better belt.

The TCK199 kit is suitable for older engines using the T138 timing belt. The older belt uses high temperature neoprene rubber; the newer belt (T199) uses highly saturated nitrile rubber, which is superior. This is according to Gates online catalog info.

The I4 without an automatic tensioner isn't the easiest to tension properly. But it's cheaper for the manufacturer to use a bolt than an automatic tensioner . Even if the belt looks tout it clearly isn't. I'd re-do the belt tensioning step, take note if your engines needs to be tensioned at TDC or 45BTDC. I'd get a new $5 tensioner spring from the dealer, there are 2 different ones. the dealer should be able to get you the right one. Some say it's not necessary but I'd just do it. Also, follow the timing belt installation instruction to the letter.

T199:
Number of Teeth (Cog) 163
Pitch (in) .315
Pitch (mm) 8
Pitch Length (in) 51.338
Pitch Length (mm) 1304
Top Width (in) 1.051
Top Width (mm) 27
Material HSN (Highly Saturated Nitrile)
Profile Type Curvilinear

T138:
Number of Teeth (Cog) 163
Pitch (in) .315
Pitch (mm) 8
Pitch Length (in) 51.339
Pitch Length (mm) 1304
Top Width (in) 1.051
Top Width (mm) 27
Material HCR (Hi Temp Neoprene)
Profile Type Curvilinear

Originally Posted by dave255

I first thought that I must have accidentally forgotten to tension the tensioner pulley, but I popped the cover and the thing was at maximum tension!?!? I was incredibly stumped, so I started poking around the kit I bought, paying special attention to part numbers. It turns out the guy sent me a timing belt for a 3SFE engine, not a 5SFE!!! I thought this must certainly be my problem, but after looking around, the two belts for these engines are the same # of teeth, and same length.

Does anyone know if the timing belts for these two engines are compatible? Is there anything else I'm not thinking of that can cause a loose belt? Thanks in advance for your help!

[71Corolla]

The 3S and 5S timing belt system is identical, including the timing belt. Who makes the timing belt you installed? What about the rest of the kit, where did you get it?

I personally find the tensioner spring somewhat useless. It works, but it is prone to error. The best way is to let the spring tension the belt, then pull up on the tensioner a bit more to make sure the belt is tight. Tighten the bolt, then rotate the engine by hand a few revolutions, and check again. The belt should feel tight with very little movement. Also, double check your crank and camshaft marks to make sure the belt is installed correctly.

[dave255]

Thanks for the replies, here's an update. Last night I was able to get a timing belt from the dealer literally minutes before they closed for the weekend, it was the last one they had in stock too. Took out the first belt, popped in the OEM one and the problem was solved. It was significantly tighter and the engine sounded great. Didn't finish up until midnight though.

There has to be a difference between the belts, I repeated the tensioning step several times with the same results, so I am sure it was at maximum tension. I know according to spec they are interchangeable, but maybe I got a defective one?? Who knows, I'm just glad the problem is solved.

The belt was a Contitech TB138, I believe I was supposed to receive a TB199.

[JohnGD]

I re-read the post and I had it reversed. The T199 is a better belt than T138, so you got the cheaper belt (T138 instead of T199). However, it should have worked too. But it's good the problem was solved with an OEM belt. I've used Contis from Italy and they've worked fine for me. Did you get a Mitsuboshi?

Originally Posted by dave255

Thanks for the replies, here's an update. Last night I was able to get a timing belt from the dealer literally minutes before they closed for the weekend, it was the last one they had in stock too. Took out the first belt, popped in the OEM one and the problem was solved. It was significantly tighter and the engine sounded great. Didn't finish up until midnight though.

There has to be a difference between the belts, I repeated the tensioning step several times with the same results, so I am sure it was at maximum tension. I know according to spec they are interchangeable, but maybe I got a defective one?? Who knows, I'm just glad the problem is solved.

The belt was a Contitech TB138, I believe I was supposed to receive a TB199.

[fenixus]

so the material type is only difference between those 3s and 5s belts? kind of lame if you ask me... why they continue to sell those worse belts if 5s belts fit them fine on 3s then?
that 3s Contitech belt must have stretched ...

glad the OP solved the issue with OEM belt

which brand was it? I got Bando last time I ordered 5s-fe t-belt from dealer.