Timing Belt ?

[veracruise]

I have been working on changing the timing belt on my 04 4.2L non
turbo. I have gotten to the point of checking the belt at the crank and
there are maybe 9 or 10 cogs missing on the belt. the belt is still on. How
can I line the timing marks back up with those cogs missing? Should I
lossen the rockers and take the tenision off the cams to line the marks back
up? I haven't installed the new belt yet. any help on this>?

[heifetz17]

I'm not quite sure what you're talking about. All you need to do is hand turn the engine (with the belt still on) until the timing marks line up. If they're off for some reason, line up the crank mark, remove the belt, then line up the cam mark.

[veracruise]

On the belt it has the cogs that rides on the splines of the crankshaft
and waterpump and the cams. Those are worn down. (no cogs). They are missing down around the crankshaft, so if i turn the crank it will just spin
and the rest of the motor won't spin. So can't line the marks up. I hope
everyone can understand what i'm talking about. I'm at work and have to hurry to write this. thx

[CREWZIN]

Veracruise,

Are you saying there are teeth missing (9 or 10) somewhere on the timing belt? As far as I know, the whole belt should have teeth all around it. None missing. I called up pictures on the net of new timing belt for sale and none of them have any teeth missing. I think the first thing you have to do is replace the belt.

[kingofyo1]

yeah if you're missing teeth on the belt, you need a new one ASAP! got mine back today along with my PT, and the belt snapped in two approximately 65k after replacement previously. if you're wondering about it, you probably should replace it, and your water pump too since you're already at that point

[heifetz17]

You guys need to read a little closer

He's in the process of replacing the belt, but because there are teeth missing he can't line up the marks properly.

I would release the belt tension and rotate just the belt itself until there are some teeth under the crank, then put tension back on the belt and line up the marks.

[quicksilverdon]

there has to be a way to do the timing marks with belt off, because a lot of people wait until the belt breaks before putting in a new belt.

[veracruise]

Your right heifetz17, thats what I need to know. I'm sorry if i didn't make
myself clear. I am at work and i have to talk fast because they track everything. Thank you all for responding.

[kingofyo1]

gotta be careful, otherwise your tbelt will look like this:

[veracruise]

I hope I can get the marks lined back up. when i was trying to get the damper
off the crankshaft turned on me. Looks like i may have to turn the crank back
or go all around to line the mark on the crank with the mark on the block. is
that possible?