new timing belt sticks out 1-2 mms

[Allen McCready]

On my 97 camry le with 4 cyl, abs, auto trans, 5SFE engine, I installed a new timing belt and lower timing cover, rotated the crank to 45 degrees and torqued the tensioner wheel bolt to 31 ft-lbs. However, now the belt isn't flush with the camshaft. The belt sticks out about 2 mm.

This isn't normal is it?

I have the crank pulley and bolt on, but not torqued. The only thing I can think of is that the big washer behind the pulley is for some reason not fitting flush up against the crankshaft timing belt sprocket. Can this be fixed without removing the lower timing cover again?

[Allen McCready]

Well, I pushed the belt back on the exposed wheels and sprockets, and then removed the pulley and used a small allen wrench to tap about 20 times around the big washer in front of the crankshaft sprocket. This didn't appear to do anything, but then I rotated the crankshaft 10 times and the belt moved back onto the camshaft sprocket where it appears that it should go.

Consequently, my problem appears to be solved.

Originally Posted by Allen McCready

On my 97 camry le with 4 cyl, abs, auto trans, 5SFE engine, I installed a new timing belt and lower timing cover, rotated the crank to 45 degrees and torqued the tensioner wheel bolt to 31 ft-lbs. However, now the belt isn't flush with the camshaft. The belt sticks out about 2 mm.

This isn't normal is it?

I have the crank pulley and bolt on, but not torqued. The only thing I can think of is that the big washer behind the pulley is for some reason not fitting flush up against the crankshaft timing belt sprocket. Can this be fixed without removing the lower timing cover again?