Is it possible for a timing belt to jump time? I took my car to the shop after it just died and wouldn't restart. The shop replaced the distributor and said it still wouldn't start. They checked the timing (factory belt I believe) and they said it jumped like 2 notches on the bottom and 1 on the cam(s) um, is this possible? I took it to good year and the guy on the phone gave me some line of bullshit about how the tech. guy doesn't feel comfortable doing the work on the car.

The first shop adjested the timing back to make it "right" but it runs like **** now. feels like I don't have enough gas when I take off but my wideband gauge says im fine. It's gotta be the timing right? This is pissing me off.

 

sure it can jump teeth, if it wasn't tensioned properly, or if the tensioner is shot, or maybe the tensioner bolt wasn't tightened enough.

 

would that cause me to feel like I didn't have power from like 1000rpm up to about 4000 rpm. 4000 is probably as high as I took it.

 

yeah if the camshafts and pistons are not in time with each other, it will definitely make it run like crap.

 

Thanks, I think I am going to take it to another shop and just have them fix the whole thing. replace the belt and adjust the time. Thanks.

 

I hope you kept your old distributor, because it was probably fine and you could keep it for a spare or sell it.

Setting the cams and crank in proper position while tensioning the timing belt is one of the most important factors in having your car run properly. Proper timing of the valves in relation to the pistons as well as ignition timing, are the foundation of a good running engine. Make sure its set right.