Hi guys. I just started a install of some aftermarket cam gears on my 2003 Evo 8 today and i ran into 2 issues. I did the "zip tie" method where u mark ur TDC then take the cam cover off. I zip tied the cams to mark my time. Put the tensioner tool in and put a wrench on the cam shaft then unbolted the cam from the cam shaft (not easy). Made sure the cam went in the right dowel pin and put the cam gear on its mark then zip tied it down. As we were wrenching down on the next cam gear the cam gear slipped and moved 3 teeth forward. I took the cam gear off, got the next cam gear and wrenched the exhaust cam forward to make the dowel pin fit so its on time with my marks. Released the tensioner tool and put my cam cover on to see it i was still at TDC on the gears and on the crank. Went through a couple rotations but when i go through the rotations i get slack still in the timing belt. I tried rocking the car back and forth to maybe get the slack out but everytime i spin the crank slack comes over the cam gears. The timeing belt comes off the gears and i almost loose time. I recheck my time from the marks i made and im still good.

Question 1: By moving the cam shaft to fit on time with the cam gear is that ok? Is there anything else i need to do or is the there something else?

Question 2: Why am i still getting slack in the belt after the tool is out? Possible tensioner pulley going out?

I dont plan on starting the car tell i figure these out.....thanx for any help or ideas!

 

I had a similar problem. I'm still trying to figure mine out. So far I've pulled the timing cover off and have redone the tensioner twice to see that my tensioner might not be holding enough pressure. You might have to retension your belt the hard way. I would start by looking through the timing belt how to.

Good luck