How to line up the timing marks?

Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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  • 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 2WD
  • 180,000 MILES
Yes, my friends car timing got all messed up and now we are trying to put it back, but we are having problems doing so. The problem we are facing is we don't know where the timing marks should line up exactly, I mean we make them meet each other on the two pullies on top and also the pully on the bottom but it's just not working and so any help would be cool. Thank you
Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 2:15 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
AL514
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Hello, the timing marks on this vehicle are tricky, I'll post the service info and show the marks, the camshafts need to be in a very specific place.
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Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
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This is each step in order, I think the 1st step of having the exhaust camshaft mark 1/2 tooth compared to the other camshaft is what can easily through someone off, whereas that extra slack is taken up in a further step, and those marks will line up when you're done, so go slow and make sure you read each one carefully. Hopefully this will help you out.
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Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
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Just notice this first step is lining up the timing marks before the belt is removed the first time, it's getting the #1 cylinder up to top dead center. This next step is after the belt is off and ready for replacement, just so that's clear, don't rotate the crankshaft with the belt off.
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Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Okay, because on the pully's we have the have the words up on them and so those should be facing up right to be the correct position.
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Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
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The notches (marks) on the two camshaft sprockets are the ones you want to concentrate on, these marks here (below), notice the exhaust camshaft (left one) is 1/2 tooth lower than the intake camshaft, which is where the slack in the belt will be taken up in the further steps. Those words are there to help get the cams in the correct position when getting the #1 piston to TDC, but lining these marks up directly then removing the belt is the most important part. Just read each step carefully.
This is an interference engine, so the piston will hit the valves if the crankshaft is rotated without the belt on, that's why getting everything lined up correctly before taking the belt off is very important.
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Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Okay, I have a? So, if the camshaft was rotated with the belt being off what would have to be done in order to get the timing to be right.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 9:40 AM
Tiny
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How far do you need to rotate it to get the marks back to where they should be? If you lined it up before taking the belt off the cams shouldn't be that far off. When the #1 cylinder is at TDC on a four-cylinder engine, the #4 is up also on its exhaust stroke. So those are the two cylinders right now that could potentially hit the valves. But really your marks should be close.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Okay, if I could I will send you a picture of where I'm at in the process and maybe you can help me from there. Please and thank you.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
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Well, there's 3 marks you need to worry about, where are they at this point? The crankshaft lines up with the mark on the oil pump, and your 2 camshaft marks should be facing in towards each other. Where are they now? Exhaust cam (left) should be at the 3-o clock position and the intake cam (right) should be at the 9-o clock position.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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I will try to take better pics if you need them.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
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What is this mark circled in red? Is there a part number on these sprockets?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
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Is there an actually mark where your white paint it on the exhaust sprocket?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Yes, it is a grove just like the intake one.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Sorry, hold on let me go take a better picture.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Well, anyway by your first picture it looks like the exhaust cam (left) is off by 1 tooth and so is the intake cam, notice how both marks are facing upwards just a touch, those cams are off time. Is the crankshaft mark lined up correctly at this point?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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Okay, I'm going to take a couple more pictures because on both of the camshaft gears there is 2 each marks on them where the white marks are directly across from them are a mark well its indented like the white ones are.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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I marked in red.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
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If I'm seeing the picture correctly, it looks like the exh cam needs to go clockwise 1 tooth and possibly the int cam needs to come back (counter clockwise) 1 tooth, but this is where having the exh cam 1/2 tooth lower comes into play.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
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Refresh this page.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
MICHAELMAXWELL459
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And so how would I go about making them the way they are supposed to be do I need to take off the belt and move the exhaust down one or do I keep the belt on and move them?
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 AT 3:02 PM

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