Timing question: cams and crankshaft marks not matching

Hello TacomaWorld,

I am currently installing a new timing belt on my 1996 5vz-fe. Used a Contitech timing belt kit. Here are a few pictures of the new belt installed:


Timing seems to be off. What is throwing me off is the yellow marks on the left camshaft pulley are aligned. In addition to that, I believe this is how the pulleys were before removing the old timing belt. This is the only picture taken before the timing belt was removed:



Is my timing correct or do I need to adjust the left camshaft?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Better picture of the yellow marks:

 

Any ideas skeezix?

Input is appreciated!

 

I'd say yes, adjust the left. It appears to be one tooth off.

 

You're a tooth off on that one cam wheel.

 

where's the line on the right cam? or is this after you turned it a few times? the belts should come with indicator marks for lining things up. I do remember having to pry on the belt to get one of the marks to line up correctly but we lined up the top two first.

Also did you make the yellow marks or were they on there already?

 

Yeah there should be lines for both. The marks should also be as close to the top as possible. Seems off to me too.

 

Install the belt in this order

Left cam
Water pump
Crank
Idler between L and R cams
Right cam
Tensioner

Once you have the tensioner set rotate the engine by hand and check your timing marks

 

this^^

 

No, no ideas. After I installed my belt, the timing marks at the cams were slightly off. Not perfect. Then I rotated the crank, brought the marks back up to the top, and they were still very slightly off. I buttoned everything up and started the engine and it ran okay. Guess I can't expect drafting-board perfection in real life

 

Yes, you can. It will line up perfectly. What a waste of an effort. Your base timing is going to be way off and you ECU is going to have to try to fix it, and it can't long term. You're going to get shitty mileage and power. Sorry to say it.

 

Agreed. OP you need to get those cams lined up properly, sometimes it helps to have the Left came forward 1 tooth then go over the water pump and crank then reverse the left cam 1 tooth so its lined up again that will make the belt tight from the crank up to the Left cam, you want it to be tight from the crank up to the left cam when installing so its easier to slip it over the tensioner pully.

 

Yea. Do over. As long as the lines on the belt are on the correct place on ALL THREE SPROCKETS it doesn't matter whether your in the right place according to the cam marks on the cover(s).(it's just another reference point to check with) You sure the belt is facing the right way?
You didn't show the crank but you are def. at least 1 tooth off from what I see.

 

Agree one tooth off.