Evo ix - stock engine

I just replaced my timing belt and the whole 60k maintenance about 2
months ago. My water pump blew and needed to be replaced a week ago. We did everything the same as when we did the timing belt. We have tried probably 10 to 20 times to put the timing belt on and line everything up. Everytime we crank the engine 6 times everything is in line except for the cam gears which are each a consistent half a tooth off. The belt is new from 2 months ago so I figured I could just put it back on. I can't figure out why it is consistently off. We had no issues when we did the belt before. Is it the belt? Should I buy a new one? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

I would but a new belt on its cheep and is good insurance. The old belt may have gotten streach and is no good. Have you checked the tensioner?

 

make sure there are 17 teeth in between the timing marks. the belt should be ok, but if it got contaminated with coolant, I would replace it. the cams may be moving while you are installing the belt, if you don't have a cam lock tool, or something to hold them in place. sometimes, they don't line up perfectly with the notches in the cam cover, but if they are close, you should be ok. I was doing it by hand, but bought a set of timing belt tools from jays racing, and it was 100% easier. 50 bucks, and I got the tensioner rod, cam gear holder and the pulley tool. totally worth the investment. they also have similar tools on amazon.

 

leave your crank sprocket one tooth retarded, wrap the belt around both cam gears, making sure they are either zip tied or held on by a timing gear tool, walk the belt on the crank sprocket, and as you put the belt on it turn the crank sprocket 1 toothadvanced so it bites on the belt, from there TORQUE your tensioner pulley to spec (i recommend an I beamtorque wrench) and there u have it, that slack should be taken care of.

 

Thanks guys. I'm going to try this and see if it helps.

 

Good luck