CAM and crankshaft timing mark alignment

KENNETH PEARSON

MEMBER
1995 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
3.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
1,000,000 MILES

On my van my timing belt just recently broke on me and I bought a brand new timing belt timing belt tension-er. The water pump was replaced and when I put my timing belt on and lined everything up when I started my engine it was knocking like shaking heavily. So I had to turn it off. I am assuming that my crankshaft is misaligned and I know that my car is a non-interference engine, so I was wondering if I take my timing belt off and rotate my crankshaft around to find top dead center cylinder one, would that mess up anything? Also, I would like to know on my vehicle if there is any special procedure to get my camshaft lined up other than using the timing marks? The reason why I asked this question is I would like to make sure that my valves in number one cylinder are closed when lining up my timing marks.

5 Replies

JOHNNYT73

MECHANIC
924 POSTS

In theory of how all engines work. The crankshaft makes two revolutions for every one of the camshaft. You will need to remove the belt and use a piece of welding rod or something to be sure you are top dead center. My suggestion would be before you take off the belt. Turn the engine by hand to align the timing marks. First be sure everything lined up as originally thought. If so then just remove the belt and turn the crankshaft one revolution and reinstall the belt. Be sure your camshafts do not move in the process.

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Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 AT 5:50 AM

KENNETH PEARSON

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3 POSTS

After the belt broke and I finally was able to take the timing case apart my cam sprockets were at the 12:00 position exactly lined up with their timing marks what the camshaft or crankshaft timing marks were not lined up so to be truthful. I am not sure if my cams moved or rotated. By any chance is there a way for me to verify that they have not rotated and at the timing marks are true or is that not needed since they lined up with their marks?

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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:06 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,467 POSTS

If this is the SOHC 3.0 engine you should be able to bring number one cylinder to TDC, line up the marks and install the belt. Double check the cam sprockets first, I have seen them break the alignment pins.

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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 5:29 PM

KENNETH PEARSON

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3 POSTS

Can you clarify what you mean by alignment pins? Are you talking about the pens that you can use to hold the cam sprockets in place?

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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 5:56 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,467 POSTS

There should be pins/keys that the sprockets go over on the cams that hold them in the proper position, then the bolts that hold them on. I have seen them shear off and the sprockets move on the ends of the cams.