redg2ls

Hey everyone,

I tried changing my water pump and timing belt on my 92 integra ls. I marked the cam gears and t-belt with correction fluid before removal with piston #1 at TDC. When I removed the timing belt, the camshafts (and cam gears) popped into a different position. The UP arrow on the intake cam gear was almost pointing at 12 but the UP arrow on the exhaust cam gear was pointing at 11 o' clock. I forced both back to 12:00 position, put two dowels in the wholes in the camshafts and put the new t-belt on.

When I started up the engine, the car was idling rather rough and eventually stalled. My question is, Should the camshafts be at TDC UP naturally, without having to be forced in to that position and held there by dowels in the holes in the camshafts when the t-belt was installed?

Any help or hints would be greatly appreciated.

lVlemphizStylez

they should not directly point to the sky (a little to the right actually)...What you should be more focused on is the alignment of the notches with each other and the timing belt cover

95 integra

iTrader: (2)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lVlemphizStylez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they should not directly point to the sky (a little to the right actually)...What you should be more focused on is the alignment of the notches with each other and the timing belt cover</TD></TR></TABLE>

They point up compared to the motor which is in the car at a slight angle. The center lines on the cam gears should point towards each other (and the line on the inner timing cover).

redg2ls

Thanks for the suggestions. So with the timing belt off, it is ok for the cam gears to be NOT at TDC (a bit off)? I had to use some force to make them point up in order to put dowels through the holes in camshaft holders and the camshafts.

keys

It is ok, it's just that when it comes time to actually putting the timing belt on make sure the side marks of the cam gears are lined up to each other and the back timing belt cover. I just fixed this same problem on my car tonight and now my car idles perfectly.

reno96teg

did you make sure the crank was lined up as well?

redg2ls

Yes, the crank is lined up to the little arrow on the oil pump. I also made sure piston #1 was at TDC by putting a wooden dowel in the spark plug chamber and checked to see that it was at the highest point.

I have put the t-belt back on following the suggestions of the folks here. I will start the car up after I put the rest of the other stuff back on. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks!

redg2ls

Hey everyone,

I started up my engine yesterday and everything is working fine. I think it idles a little quieter and smoother than before. I drove it around the block a few times and I drove it to work this morning. I was worried something (especially the crank bolt) would come off but I'm gaining more confidence now.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. I think the most important thing is what keys said, to make sure the side marks of the cam gears are lined up perfectly. I used a ruler to make sure they are all lined up.