So I put on the timing belt all the timing points match up. A mechanic said I can crank it and it should fire. Anyone know if I need all the accessories in order for it to run and make sure it was put on right? It's my first time and I don't want to have to take everything off again. Many thanks.
Timing belt please help
- Thread starter terryfj40
- Start date
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DON'T crank it or start it to check the timing mark alignment. Use a breaker bar and the correct size socket for the damper bolt to turn the engine over by hand. Make a couple of full revolutions and check the timing marks (not the ones on the belt).
I'm sure there's some combination of work that would allow you to start it and give a quick check, but I don't think that's worth it. The mechanical stuff that really matters will be vetted by the manual rotation and a visual check. Beyond that, you're probably more likely to screw up the accessories you're talking about leaving off than anything.
Reassemble completely and crank her away as Toyota intended. If you messed anything up it's a clear sign you could use the extra practice taking it apart and re-assembling. No offense meant, of course. I say this as someone whose had his fair share and then some of stupid mechanic moments. Every time you do something stupid you have a chance to become a better mechanic (garage, shade-tree or pro alike).
Reassemble completely and crank her away as Toyota intended. If you messed anything up it's a clear sign you could use the extra practice taking it apart and re-assembling. No offense meant, of course. I say this as someone whose had his fair share and then some of stupid mechanic moments. Every time you do something stupid you have a chance to become a better mechanic (garage, shade-tree or pro alike).
If you've already done the rotation check I'd put it back together and go. I'm glad that you made this post. I'll be doing mine soon and I probably would have wondered the same thing.
When I did mine, I took off the plugs to crank the engine to check marks. Once all good, installed every single component and turned the ignition. It started like nothing has been done to it.
You can fire it up without reassembly , I usually put the lower cover and crank pulley on with the tensioner released. If it starts and idles smooth your good to go.
Having recently lived in Phoenix with car trouble in my run down apartment complex parking lot in the summer, I feel ya. If the mechanical rotation was good, I think you'll be fine. Take your time assembling the rest, double check, then triple check and fire that baby up!
You got this!
There is no need to fire anything up or even try. Spin it twice, if the timing marks still line up and it spins without interference with a breaker bar, you did it right. There are WAY too many chances to hose something up very, very badly if you try to run it not all put together.
- Thread starter
- #13
Hey so I put it back together and tried to fire it up and all I get is a sputter and no start. I did put on the belt wrong to begin with (I'm still kicking myself for that). Did I bend the valves? Any ideas I probably shouldn't have tried to do it myself. But I'm just addicted to doing all the work on my cars. BTW the belt is definitely on correctly now.
Simple checks first.
Do you have any engine codes? You'll need to scan it with an OBD tool, not just look for a check engine light.
Do you have a compression test gauge? That's an easy way to verify valves and timing is good enough to start. If you don't have one, stop by autozone or similar and add it to your arsenal.
If you have a battery charger it might be good to charge up the battery as you work through these tests.
Is everything plugged in? There are a few sensors that might give you the no-start if you forgot to plug them in.
The bent valve idea is very unlikely if you rolled it over by hand during re-assembly. I bet it's something simple.
Do you have any engine codes? You'll need to scan it with an OBD tool, not just look for a check engine light.
Do you have a compression test gauge? That's an easy way to verify valves and timing is good enough to start. If you don't have one, stop by autozone or similar and add it to your arsenal.
If you have a battery charger it might be good to charge up the battery as you work through these tests.
Is everything plugged in? There are a few sensors that might give you the no-start if you forgot to plug them in.
The bent valve idea is very unlikely if you rolled it over by hand during re-assembly. I bet it's something simple.
Check the crank position sensor. I forgot to plug it back in once and had the same symptoms.
- Thread starter
- #19
Made me think of this. Could it be I put the crank timing gear in backwards? Would that cause a no start?