Adjusting the timing after changing the timing belt

[Mark11]

I went to the dealer 3 weeks ago to change the brakes to my Camry 2001 4 cyl. They told me at 63000 miles that I should change the timing belt. I was not prepared for $500 how much they wanted for that. Last weeked I went to my mechanic and he changed it for $220. I asked him if he will adjust the timing using the strobo light and he said that is not necessary, there are some marks on the engine and they just have to be aligned. I read in the maintenance manual that you need to use the strobo light. Yesterday unfortunately I noticed that the car doesn't start like before; I have to keep the key turned on for about 4 second to start. Now I have the following questions:
1-my mechanic cut corners not using the strobo adjustment?
2-can I do it myself (I used to do for my old Ford Taurus; I had the manual with the whole procedure and the strobo light)
3-where can I get the instructions (on the net) how to make the adjustment

Thank you so much

Mark

[MT-2500]

Try this link. Your base timming specs. should be on the underhood sticker.
MT
http://members.troublecodes.net/crunch/01camy.pdf

[Toysrme]

You've got cam & ignition timing confused.
Back in the day, the 5s-fe had a distributor on the end of the intake camshaft. If the timing of the intake cam was off - the ignition timing was off.
Your 5s-fe is distributorless. The cam timing can be anything, but the ignition timing will not be affected. Your ignition timing can not be adjusted. There is no reason to check ignition timing in this case.

Check cam timing. Take the valve cover off & on the camshaft intermesh gears there are markings. Set the crankshaft to #1 cylinder TDC (That's 0* on the timing belt cover gauge). The alignment marks on the camshaft intermesh gears should be exactly the same.




That's the long way of saying set the crankshaft to TDC, take your 10mm valve cover bolts off & the valve cover & check the timing.

[csaxon]

!st your car didn't need a timing belt check until 90,000 miles. (That's in your owners manual where you keep track of services performed).

2nd your mechanic was correct in that you don't use a strobe timing light.

3rd Your mechanic may have misaligned the belt or it slipped and jumped by a couple of teeth and that will cause a timing problem.

If you're going to check things yourself then do what Toysrme said.

I'd take it back to your mechanic and have him double check it.

You may have other problems causing your delayed starting.

[Mark11]

I went back to the mechanic and explained the problem. He first changed an engine mount (I think is called like that-a rubber thing) that solved most of the rough shaking. After that he checked again the timing belt, he said that even installed another new one to make sure that it wasn't the belt the culprit and he said that everything it is ok but he can't explain the problem that still exists, delay in starting. I just checked today the fuel consumption (I haven't done this in a year) and is not good, 16m/1 gal (60% city+40% highway). Should I go to the dealer to have the codes checked? Thank you.