I went to check my timing and it was maybe twice as far from TDC as it specs in the FSM and it took all of the distributer travel to get the red tab ALMOST to the reference tab. Something's gotta be amiss. Any thoughts?

 

The mechanical timing is off by one tooth on the timing belt. If the belt is old, it may have slipped so replace it and set the mechanical timing correctly.

 

It's amazing that it runs so well and I'm thankful it didn't slip into interference.

I took another look at it with the upper timing belt cover off. If I shine the timing light at the cam pulley, the TDC mark is actually rotated past TDC with the crank pulley timing mark nearly at the indicator.

Wow, I guess it's good timing that I just got my timing belt job parts together!

 

Hi, I'm wondering if it's more likely the belt slipped or was incorrectly installed. I'd always assumed that rubber timing belts don't slip. Anyone with experience with this?

 

Replaced the timing belt, quadruple checked the alignment, and the timing is still off. WTF? I need a differential diagnosis.

 

Check cam timing (timing belt position) with the engine stopped. Do not use a timing light for that.

When using a timing light to set the spark timing, you must close the ECU test jumper. The CEL should light up steady because of that while you run the engine to check the timing.

 

you have to put the timing belt on properly. Put it over the cam, and put it around the crank, then everything else. Make sure the engine is timed properly before you do this.

I had to do a double check when I replaced my timing belt, and I was glad I did because somehow it slipped a tooth.

 

The FSM procedure says to put it on the crank first and the cam pully last.

 

Dammit! Went and checked it out. The cam was certainly off a tooth, again! I set it straight, tho. It's timed up good now, but I dropped my timing light and broke it. Not my day.