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Adjusting the timing after changing the timing belt
I went to the dealer 3 weeks ago to change the brakes to my Camry 2001 4 cyl. They told me at 63000 miles that I should change the timing belt. I was not prepared for $500 how much they wanted for that. Last weeked I went to my mechanic and he changed it for $220. I asked him if he will adjust the timing using the strobo light and he said that is not necessary, there are some marks on the engine and they just have to be aligned. I read in the maintenance manual that you need to use the strobo light. Yesterday unfortunately I noticed that the car doesn't start like before; I have to keep the key turned on for about 4 second to start. Now I have the following questions:
1-my mechanic cut corners not using the strobo adjustment?
2-can I do it myself (I used to do for my old Ford Taurus; I had the manual with the whole procedure and the strobo light)
3-where can I get the instructions (on the net) how to make the adjustment
You didn't need to change the timing belt at 63,000 miles. The change interval on the generation 4 (1997-2001) is 90,000 miles. With the generation 3's (1992-1996) it was 60,000 miles.
That said, as far as the car not starting as quick as before, take it back to your mechanic and tell him what you noticed about the lengthy starting time now required. Tell him you would feel better if he checked the timing. If he's a good guy he will check it out for you. Should take him 5 minutes.
IF the distributor has never been moved or taken out htere really isnt a reason to check the timing with the timing light. When you do the timing belt you do not have to take the dist. out so as long as the marks are all lined up then everything should begood.
However like Mike said if it is hard to start now then take it back and jsut ask your mechanis to check it. It only takes acouple of minutes.
__________________
Chris
PLEASE DO NOT GET RID OF THE OLD TN AS WE KNOW IT.
Most likely cause is that the mechanic screwd up and skipped a tooth
when putting the belt on..
Easy enuff to do and easier to correct....
Adjust the timing !
I just did (for the 1st time) a tb in my 1990 Camry and the first time
I oopsied so I took it off and put it right... Could've adjusted the distributor
BUT that's not the RIGHT THING TO DO.
No big deal but if I can get it right so should your mechanic !
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But how to adjust the ignitation timing if it doesn't have a distributor? Or he has to reinstall the belt, meaning about 3 hours of work. I am sure that he's not goint to be happy with that.
'01 camry gen4.5 uses twin coil packs and is distributorless. There is no way to adjust timing. As long as the alignment marks are correct at TDC (0 deg on crank pulley), there is no other adjustment to make. Taking 4 secs longer to start doesnt mean it is the fault of the timing belt job. How's the power? Is it the same? Is there pinging? If you still feel uncomfortable, pay your mechanic to open up the timing belt cover again to check alignment, if it wasnt done right, then he has to foot the bill.
I went back to the mechanic and explained the problem. He first changed an engine mount (I think is called like that-a rubber thing) that solved most of the rough shaking. After that he checked again the timing belt, he said that even installed another new one to make sure that it wasn't the belt the culprit and he said that everything it is ok but he can't explain the problem that still exists, delay in starting. I just checked today the fuel consumption (I haven't done this in a year) and is not good, 16m/1 gal (60% city+40% highway). Should I go to the dealer to have the codes checked? Thank you.
I went back to the mechanic and explained the problem. He first changed an engine mount (I think is called like that-a rubber thing) that solved most of the rough shaking. After that he checked again the timing belt, he said that even installed another new one to make sure that it wasn't the belt the culprit and he said that everything it is ok but he can't explain the problem that still exists, delay in starting. I just checked today the fuel consumption (I haven't done this in a year) and is not good, 16m/1 gal (60% city+40% highway). Should I go to the dealer to have the codes checked? Thank you.
You can go to Autozone, if you have them in your area, and they will check the codes for you for free. Was the check engine light ever on? You didn't mention this in your other posts.
You need to check to see if your timing belt is lined up on the top and bottom. Just because there are marks doesn't mean that a "mechanic" lined them up correctly, especially if the car is running like crap now. If you want to do it correctly, you have to use a timing light to check your work. I don't care how good you are, just because you removed everything and think you replaced it in the same order, a final check with a timing light takes less than 5 minutes and completes the job, and should be done.
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It worked fine until I fixed it! 
Even I got it right !
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