I didn't realize that to TDC the camshaft (2001 MDX), I had to turn the crankshaft with the timing belt on. I Top-dead-centered the crankshaft without the belt to move the camshaft along. BIG MISTAKE. I tried to manually turn the camshaft (near the firewall), but it binds. How do I turn the camshaft to TDC? Can it be done without the belt? Thanks.

 

Rotate the crank out of top dead center slowly. Rotate it only about an 1/8th turn, put the cams at proper alignment and then put crank back at TDC then install the belt.

 

The cam binding is the valves hitting the pistons. Do not apply a lot of pressure your youll be taking the heads off to replace bent valves.

Just rotate like I said to lower the pistons out of TDC and you should be able to rotate the cams with no issues..

 

Thank you. With the crank off TDC, I can turn the camshaft, but it snaps a quarter turn when I'm near TDC. It keeps snapping around, but always away from TDC. What am I doing wrong?

 

Its because its inbetween a push on a spring. Get the cams as close as you can then rotate the crank back to TDC and then align one cam at a time putting the belt back on. It can be tricky but thats the way it is.

 

Thank you. I got the rear camshaft to stay in place. The front cam was already top centered. I placed the crankshaft to TDC and crossed my fingers (mentally) that the rear camshaft wouldn't snap to turn as I wrapped the belt around. I stopped for the day after putting the tensioner on, with the pin pulled out. Again, thanks!

 

Rotate the crankshaft 2 full revolutions by hand there should be no binding, which would indicate valve and piston interference. I remove the spark plugs to relive cylinder compression.