Timing belt marks don’t align

[airbornebuilder]

Hello all. I have a 1997 Prado with a 1kz-te engine that I scored a few months ago. Getting into maintenance and checking the timing belt as I suspect it needs to be replaced. When I took off the cover I noticed the belt marks are not lined up with top dead center. This belt has been on the truck for a good while—but I’ve never seen this issue.

I have the parts to replace the belt, idler and tensioner but was hoping for some feedback on whether anyone else has run into this? No idea why the belt was installed this way but the belts been on the truck for at least 60,000 miles.

Thanks in advance.

 

[javelinadave]

You need to turn the main crank with a socked and long handle till all three of these line up. At that point your engine will be at TDC.

 

[nOtArEaLcRuIsEr]

The mark on the belt doesn’t mean anything. Looks like maybe you’re not on the compression stroke.

 

[javelinadave]

@airbornebuilder
How did this turn out?