Timing issue, need some insight

Hey,
Been throwing a camshaft position sensor code for a month now. Everytime I pull the cover of the timing belt. I notice it continuously is of a tooth or two after I set it to TDC. Just now I set the belt back to where it should be. So marks align. Install tensioner, and turn it two full revolutions. Now my crank is at 0° but my cam marks are off 4 or 5 teeth. WTF. This shit is giving me a headache.

 

So when you set the timing you need the slack, all the slack, on the tensioner side, so its tight along the idlers.

Are you using a belt with timing marks?

What I usually do is, no tensioner, no mid top idler. I install the belt, set the timing, rock the gears towards each other, install idler, then lastly the tensioner bearing with tensioner.

 

Water pump, idler bearing and tensioner bearing in good condition?

 

The idler pulley bolt doesn't tighten all the way, it just spins when I try and tighten it. Should I tap the idler pulley bolt hole one size up. Does anyone know the size of the idler pulley bolt? Would the timing issue be the cause of my camshaft position sensor CEL P0340?

 

Yes,yes,yes and yes. I'd try to helicoil the stripped out hole.

 

Helicoil, never heard of it. I've done the timing belt a few times and have never had an issue like this before. Granted it's not a new belt. I'm not replacing it, I just need to correct the timing. I usually line up the crank and then put it in gear. Chalk the tires and E brake it so it absolutely doesn't move off 0°. Anyone know the bolt size for the idler pulley.

 

Time-sert is a lot stronger

 

If the idler pulley bolt is stripped, and the timing is off you might want to check the cam pullies and make sure the dowel pins are present.