JohnRaven

I'm having trouble timing my 3VZE.

Crank shaft lined up with oil body,

Timing cover mark is set to 0

cam sprockets line up with timing marks.

All three visible timing points are set perfect at this point.


Now, when I crank the engine over (two full rotations) the 0 moves to about 5 degrees, meanwhile the sprockets line up perfectly. If I rotate the crank to 0 degrees, the timing marks on the sprockets are 1 tooth off.

Does this mean the belt somehow slipped a tooth when I was putting it on???

What is the problem here?

Ohio4Runner

It is my understanding (based on other posts in this forum, as well as my own experience) that this supposed to happen. As long as all three timing marks are lined up when the belt is put on, you are OK. The reason the timing marks move ahead one tooth after each rotation is so that belt wear would be reduced by not having the same part of the belt contacting the same gear teeth all the time.

I had the same issue when I reassembled my 3VZE, and before I knew any better had taken the belt off and put it back on 3 or 4 times. Nothing changed, so I buttoned it all up, and for about 1000 miles now have had no problems.