[John999]

I tried to replace the timing belt on my 1997 Tercel today. I placed the new belt on the camshaft gear, then to the inside of the #2 idler pulley, then over the oil pump gear, then on the crankshaft gear, and when I finally slide the belt over the inside of the #1 idler pulley the crankshaft gear rotates about one tooth clockwise which throws the crankshaft out of timing. This happened with the new belt and old belt today. I have the timing belt only about 1/3 of the way on the camshaft and crankshaft gears when I finally slide the belt onto the #1 idler pulley.

I've tried setting the crankshaft gear about one tooth counterclockwise of where it should match with the nipple on the oil pump body, but when I do this the crankshaft gear does not move when I slide the belt onto the #1 idler pulley.

I've tried putting the belt on about 15 times, and the crankshaft gear moves clockwise every time I slide the belt onto the #1 idler pulley when the timing marks are coinciding no matter how tight I try to make the belt between the camshaft gear and crankshaft gear. Thanks for any replies.

 

[John999]

I figured out the problem today. I was not able to create enough tension on the belt on the right side when facing the engine (the #2 idler pulley side) when pulling with hands only, so I pulled with pliers to create more tension on that side. Since I was able to take up more slack, when I pushed the belt onto the #1 idler pulley the crankshaft did not turn. I completed everything today and took the car for a test ride and everything seems fine. Hope I didn't waste too many people's time.