Is it likely the crank and cams are out of phase/sync due to the cranks w/o a timing belt?

They are absolutely are out of sync.

Is it always the case that when the two cam sprockets are aligned with the marks on the backing cover that it's at TDC #1? Or can they be aligned and not at TDC #1?

Unless the timing belt is on and timed correctly the position of the cams tells you nothing about the position of the crank, which controls the position of the pistons, and therefore when you are at TDC on #1.

Is there an easy and smart way for a simple home-gamer to tell when #1 is at TDC w/o digging out the #1 spark plug and buying another tool? I can do it, but, man, that's a lot more parts and connectors for me to screw up.

Look at the marks on the crankshaft.

 

They are absolutely are out of sync.



Unless the timing belt is on and timed correctly the position of the cams tells you nothing about the position of the crank, which controls the position of the pistons, and therefore when you are at TDC on #1.



Look at the marks on the crankshaft.

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View attachment 465686

Thanks again, Steve. Got it fixed tonight and it’s running like a top.

 

Thanks, Steve.

"Unless the timing belt is on and timed correctly the position of the cams tells you nothing about the position of the crank, which controls the position of the pistons, and therefore when you are at TDC on #1."

This is such a no-brainer and I'm kicking myself about that.

Also, thanks for the figures and instructions.

 

Hi Gang,

I know there are a lot of threads on this issue, but I'm having difficulty extrapolating from those threads to my problem.

Son was driving car on the highway, reports that the engine just quit. I brought out gas thinking it was empty (he rides by the seat of his pants below 1/4 tank). No start, after many cranks, decide to have it towed home. After several days of hunt and peck, I have an epiphany that maybe the timing belt broke. Indeed, it was shredded.
So, install a new water pump, cams and crank seals, and belt. No start. Code reader gives cam sensors errors, but replacing those was part of the hunt and peck diagnosis prior.

So I must be mis-timed/aligned. The questions I have are:
Is it likely the crank and cams are out of phase/sync due to the cranks w/o a timing belt?

Is it always the case that when the two cam sprockets are aligned with the marks on the backing cover that it's at TDC #1? Or can they be aligned and not at TDC #1?

Is there an easy and smart way for a simple home-gamer to tell when #1 is at TDC w/o digging out the #1 spark plug and buying another tool? I can do it, but, man, that's a lot more parts and connectors for me to screw up.

Thanks,

Jay

I don't mean to contradict all the other people who have already given you some first-class replies. As you know already, the timing belt is not particularly hard to do, but it can be hard to do it right - fortunately its no big deal for non-interference engines like the 1FMZE V6.

Since the timing belt is already installed very close to where it should be already, its probably a matter of being off one or two teeth and correcting that. If you haven't added them already, paint marks (even using white-out) make it a lot easier.
Consider though a few things you might have missed:

1) the marks you've already made on the pulleys, might be a tooth or two off where they should be.

2) It's possible you were given the wrong timing belt by the auto parts.

3) Your timing belt tensioner might be worn out (if the T-belt Tensioner was deceptively easy to install, that might be a sign it's shot). If the tensioner is no good, the belt will continue to skip time no matter how many times you re-install it.