94, V6 timing belt

[steve_67cuda]

Hi, I needed to replace my water pump and am trying to re-use the old timing belt. Following the manual and aligning up all of the timing marks on the crank sprocket and camshaft sprockets, then turning the crank twice, the marks were off a little. Re-did it 4 times and still can't get them to line up exactly. Once I had 2 lined up, but the other was off about a 1/4". Do they need to be exact. I thought I would get a new belt and try it again. Help if you can. thanks

[jsinton]

Sounds like your timing belt is stretched. I don't understand why you would replace the water pump and not replace the timing belt. How many miles are on your car? When is the last time you replaced the timing belt?

It is standard to replace timing belts at 60,000 miles, or whenever you go that deep into the engine.

[Brian R.]

Replace the timing belt and get the valve timing correct. Make sure you are using the correct marks on the cam pulleys. Timing belts don't stretch - they break or jump teeth.

[steve_67cuda]

Your reprimanding me, I'm sorry, let me explain. I used 3 different sets of instructions and they all told me what to do if I was re-using the old belt. I did buy a new one and got it on today and it has been running just fine. But I think what made the difference for me was that I lined up the crank, and the 2 cam sprockets, and before I tried to install the belt without ever moving the cam sprockets off the marks. But with the new on I did move the cam spockets to meet the marks on the new belt, and then when I rotated the crank twice it worked. All 3 marks lined up. No where did I find any instruction for installing the new belt. thanks for the feedback, I do enjoy the challenge and saved myself a few hundred in the process.

Originally Posted by jsinton

Sounds like your timing belt is stretched. I don't understand why you would replace the water pump and not replace the timing belt. How many miles are on your car? When is the last time you replaced the timing belt?

It is standard to replace timing belts at 60,000 miles, or whenever you go that deep into the engine.

[jsinton]

It's common for a belt to get loose on a Camry engine. I replaced mine because I didn't know how many miles were on it. A mechanic had replaced it, and it looked like new... but it was REAL loose on the sprockets. I thought the mechanic might have sabotaged the job, but now I think they just get get loose.

On my 88 3SEF engine there is a plug in the timing belt cover to access the pulley bolt. If you loosen the pulley bolt, the spring on the tensioner of the timing belt will automatically tighten the belt to the specified tightness. Tighten the pulley bolt back up, put the plug in, and you are good to go. You could probably do this proceedure every 10,000 miles. You have to remove the engine mount, and move some hoses, etc... but it's easier than replacing the timing belt.

The mechanics manuals always say "if you intend to reuse the old belt"... It implies a special circumstance, I assure you!

[GSS123]

Steve 67cuda,

Of the three set of instructions you used for timing belt/water pump installation what one did you find the most informitive? I have a 94 camry with V-6 in need of timing belt replacement. But somewhat worried about undertaking the task myself, but would really like to try.

[steve_67cuda]

Go to yotarepair.com and look for the instructions for your engine. Mine was a 1MZ. Do not take the old belt off without making sure the timing marks are lined up on the cam sprockets and the crank sprocket. When you have the new belt, make sure it has 3 marks on it, one for each of the 3 sprockets. The instructions tell you to move all 3 sprockets to line then up, on the cam sprockets to the #3cover and the crank sprocket to the oil pump cover. You'll see the marks. But when you go to put on the new belt, start with the crank, then the water pump, then in order to get the belt mark to line up with the cam sprocket mark, you will have to turn the cam sprocket clockwise for it to line up and you will have to do the same on the other cam sprocket. But once you turn the crank clockwise twice and check the marks, they should line up. good luck

Originally Posted by GSS123

Steve 67cuda,

Of the three set of instructions you used for timing belt/water pump installation what one did you find the most informitive? I have a 94 camry with V-6 in need of timing belt replacement. But somewhat worried about undertaking the task myself, but would really like to try.

[300+]

Originally Posted by jsinton

It's common for a belt to get loose on a Camry engine. I replaced mine because I didn't know how many miles were on it. A mechanic had replaced it, and it looked like new... but it was REAL loose on the sprockets. I thought the mechanic might have sabotaged the job, but now I think they just get get loose.

On my 88 3SEF engine there is a plug in the timing belt cover to access the pulley bolt. If you loosen the pulley bolt, the spring on the tensioner of the timing belt will automatically tighten the belt to the specified tightness. Tighten the pulley bolt back up, put the plug in, and you are good to go. You could probably do this proceedure every 10,000 miles. You have to remove the engine mount, and move some hoses, etc... but it's easier than replacing the timing belt.

The mechanics manuals always say "if you intend to reuse the old belt"... It implies a special circumstance, I assure you!

I am not so sure that the spring for all models is enough to tighten the belt.

On my 92 5sfe I pull it tight by hand and then tighten the bolt

[GSS123]

yotarepair.com requires a dealer code number to access. Do you have one you could share?