Timing Belt Conundrum. Please Help!

[zervo33]

I am in dire need of help regarding the timing belt on a 99 Lexus LS 400. I replaced the engine pullies and timing belt, and tensioner. I alligned the engine when removing the belt at 50 degrees (the white dot on the plastic timing plate) and removed the belt. I replaced the pullies, and then placed the new timing belt on. I matched the arrows on the belt with the notches on the cams while the timing was still at 50 degrees, so that the Arrows pointed at the "T" mark near the cams. I made sure to match the CR on the belt with the crank, and then placed the new tensioner on the car. i removed the pin so as to tighten the belt. After this i cranked the crank by hand with the wrench as a check to see how the timing was. I made the two rotations as suggested, however the timing belt arrows were no longer at the notched positions on the cams, and were further several teeth. The CR i believe is also off alignment. However, even though the marking on the belt are off, the cams are in timing with the crank, when i rotate as indicated by the notches on the cams with the notches on the crank and their respective reference points. TDC with the cam notches and the "0" with the crank notch. also matched were the cam's notches at the "T" position while the crank notch was matched at the white dot (approx. the 50 degree position). My concern is if i neglected the marking on the belt, despite the correct timings with the crank and cams as indicated by there respective markings. would this cause issues with the timing, and potentially damage the engine; or is the position of the markings on the belt irrelevant since the crank and cams appear to be in proper alignment?????

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

[Leadfoot]

However, even though the marking on the belt are off, the cams are in timing with the crank, when i rotate as indicated by the notches on the cams with the notches on the crank and their respective reference points. TDC with the cam notches and the "0" with the crank notch. also matched were the cam's notches at the "T" position while the crank notch was matched at the white dot (approx. the 50 degree position).

It sounds that you have gotten it right, but I don't fully understand your explaination.

It is critical that you get it right, these are interference engines and you risk damage if its not right.

Step eighteen from my 1998 engine manual states;

18. CHECK VALVE TIMING

(a) Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt.

( b ) Slowly turn the crankshaft pulley 2 revolutions from TDC

to TDC.

NOTE:

Always turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise.

( c ) Check that each camshaft pulley aligns with the camshaft timing marks on the camshaft housings. (This is at TDC!)

If the timing marks do not align, remove the timing belt and reinstall it.

Good luck.

[zervo33]

However, even though the marking on the belt are off, the cams are in timing with the crank, when i rotate as indicated by the notches on the cams with the notches on the crank and their respective reference points. TDC with the cam notches and the "0" with the crank notch. also matched were the cam's notches at the "T" position while the crank notch was matched at the white dot (approx. the 50 degree position).

It sounds that you have gotten it right, but I don't fully understand your explaination.

It is critical that you get it right, these are interference engines and you risk damage if its not right.

Step eighteen from my 1998 engine manual states;

18. CHECK VALVE TIMING

(a) Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt.

( b ) Slowly turn the crankshaft pulley 2 revolutions from TDC

to TDC.

NOTE:

Always turn the crankshaft pulley clockwise.

( c ) Check that each camshaft pulley aligns with the camshaft timing marks on the camshaft housings. (This is at TDC!)

If the timing marks do not align, remove the timing belt and reinstall it.

Good luck.

Thanks a lot!!! Everything went well!!! The only thing that did matter after all was the fact that the crank and the cams were in sync. The process went well without a hitch. Again thanks for the input. For further reference regarding this issue, I consulted with two mechanics at the lexus dealership and they too said that it would occur like that. Because of the rotation at different speeds. both mechanics agreed that if the timing of the cams and crank were in sync, there should be no issue, as there was none in this case.