reference mark

[Guest 95NorCal]

Ok so Im now ready to pull off my timing belt and replace my water pump. My manual shows that there are marks on the crank and cam gears with corresponding marks to line them up with. However there is nothing to line up my crank gear with. The picture shows a little notch that is not on my engine. HELP!

[88pathoffroad]

You have to make your own reference mark. Remove the #1 cylinder spark plug. Use a flashlight and watch carefully down the spark plug hole to verify when your #1 piston is at top dead center. Alternately, you can use a thin bladed screwdriver or piece of wire to touch the top of the #1 piston and see where TDC is by watching the wire rise and fall on top of the piston. Use a ratchet on the crank bolt to turn the engine back and forth to find TDC. When you have TDC, use a punch or scratch awl and mark where the crank gear indicator mark is pointing on the aluminum timing cover edge. Then replace your belt. The belt matchmarks should match the crank gear dot and both the cam gear dots.

[94extreme]

I'd recommend that you always turn your engine in its natural direction. CW

[88pathoffroad]

True, but moving it back and forth slightly won't hurt anything. Cranking it backwards however, is a bad idea. *nodnod*