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Hello,

1997 Civic EX

I am having a little bit of an issue when I install the new belt. I have my crank mark exactly on the arrow on the oil pump - TDC. My cam gear is also perfectly lined up.

My problem is this: when I install the belt I have to push down on the tensioner in order to get the belt over the cam gear - so far ok, but when I do this the slack in the belt causes the crank to rotate slightly off TDC. I don't know how to keep that crank gear from moving when I install the belt.

 
Rep Power: 210

Install belt as shown in video at 4:05 time mark

Tension belt as shown starting at 7:15 time mark. Eric uses his hand on top of cam gear/belt to apply pressure for tensioning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoJcAS58CHg

 
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Question: when I rotate the crank pulley 6 times to see if the marks line up, should the crank pulley's TDC line (the mark that is facing the rear of the car) be exactly lined up with the marks on the lower timing cover?

The reason that I ask is because my crank pulley's mark (closest to the front of the car in the group of 3 marks) is the one that is lined up with the lower timing cover mark. (after rotating 6 times).

I pulled the crank pulley to check the line on the timing sprocket and it is just barely off the arrow pointer on the oil pump.

I'm not sure if I am worrying too much or if there is something that is not right.

thanks

 
Rep Power: 210

Correct: http://s49.photobucket.com/user/DCab...kings.jpg.html

As shown in pic in the attached link above the mechanical timing (TDC) timing is the mark seperated and towards firewall from the other three ignition timing marks. The lower timing cover marks/sights should align with the mechanical timing (TDC) mark and if not, the mechanical timing is off.
Did you remember to insert the keyway?

Try to get those two marks aligned as close as possible. Make sure 1st piston is at true TDC.

Better to ask questions now than when it's too late.
You said in the prior post your were having trouble keeping the crank from turning during belt install. If you can find someone to help you hold the crank/belt and prevent it from moving while you install the belt..that might solve the issue.

 
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thanks for the reply....Just for the heck of it, I removed the belt and only focused on the crankshaft pulley marks. If I use my hands to rotate the crank and perfectly line up the mark on the crank gear to the arrow on the oil pump and then I install my lower timing cover and crank pulley, the TDC line on the crank pulley still does not line up with the marks on the lower timing cover.


What could be the possible reasons for this?

 
Rep Power: 518

Set crank to true TDC.
That's the single lone mark on the harmonic balancer, not the triple notches.
Set cam gear to its timing marks per instructions.

Install belt per instructions. Sometimes something has to move just slightly in order to get the belt on and the crank moves easier than the cam gear.

If you get it together and still think it's a tooth out of time, take belt off and move it one tooth then recheck.

If the timing belt is one tooth off, your mechanical timing will be somewhere around 10-20 degrees off, and that might be the ignition timing (triple) marks.

If the belt is installed correctly and you've rotated the crankshaft several times, set the your crank pulley aligned to the pointer exactly on the single notch perfect and true (TDC) -- your cam gear should be within a few millimeters of perfect. (much less than the space between two timing belt teeth)



Which engine does the car have?

 
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I was reading about when to replace timing belt on a Honda Civic. I have like 186,000 miles with the original timing belt.I am not saying to replace it this late but I would not worry if you have like 100,000 miles.

 
Rep Power: 210

Click, click Boom! (says your valves).