timing belt help - possible interference while hand-turning engine
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
From: Conway, NH
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon in Blue
timing belt help - possible interference while hand-turning engine
This is on a 2004 WRX.
I installed a new water pump, timing belt tensioner, all new idlers, and timing belt, ensuring the timing marks were correct. I did not release the tensioner pin yet. I put the shifter in neutral, and hand turned the assembly with a large ratchet. I was able to smoothly turn the assembly for 2 rotations of the entire timing belt. During the 3rd rotation, it felt like I hit a wall. When this happened, the assembly was exactly 6 1/2 teeth before the timing belt installation position (see sketch below), and everything was correctly in time. What could be happening?
NOTE: the spark plugs are removed, and this felt a lot different than the spring tension of the valves during the prior 2 rotations.
Any ideas, insight, or advice? Thanks so much!
- Joe
Position of potential interference:
I installed a new water pump, timing belt tensioner, all new idlers, and timing belt, ensuring the timing marks were correct. I did not release the tensioner pin yet. I put the shifter in neutral, and hand turned the assembly with a large ratchet. I was able to smoothly turn the assembly for 2 rotations of the entire timing belt. During the 3rd rotation, it felt like I hit a wall. When this happened, the assembly was exactly 6 1/2 teeth before the timing belt installation position (see sketch below), and everything was correctly in time. What could be happening?
NOTE: the spark plugs are removed, and this felt a lot different than the spring tension of the valves during the prior 2 rotations.
Any ideas, insight, or advice? Thanks so much!
- Joe
Position of potential interference:
Last edited by Wagon Joe; Oct 9, 2007 at 09:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
From: Conway, NH
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon in Blue
yeah crazy, I know... the only possible explanation I can think of is that it jumped teeth during my manual rotations since I didn't have the tensioner unpinned. I need to double-check the timing marks and I guess remove the belt and try again.
hmm yeah thats actually a GREAT idea
the tension can be corraled back in if you have a vice
you can put the pin back in
so its not irreverseable like a grenade haha jk
the tension can be corraled back in if you have a vice
you can put the pin back in
so its not irreverseable like a grenade haha jk
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
That's a big misconception about hand grenades.
You can pull the pin out...and as long as you do not allow the handle to fly off, the pin can be re-inserted & the grenade saved for another day.
BTW...re align all the marks, pull the pin, and rotate the crank.
You can pull the pin out...and as long as you do not allow the handle to fly off, the pin can be re-inserted & the grenade saved for another day.
BTW...re align all the marks, pull the pin, and rotate the crank.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
From: Conway, NH
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon in Blue
Good news! I was just being paranoid. When I got home from work the engine turned over just fine. At the "wall-like" point, it helped to back the engine up a bit and then turn it with a little momentum.
I backed up the engine to the installation point and all of the timing marks were lined up, so I think I'm good to pull the tensioner pin, turn it over a few more times, and put everything back together.
I backed up the engine to the installation point and all of the timing marks were lined up, so I think I'm good to pull the tensioner pin, turn it over a few more times, and put everything back together.
close only counts............
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
Good news! I was just being paranoid. When I got home from work the engine turned over just fine. At the "wall-like" point, it helped to back the engine up a bit and then turn it with a little momentum.
I backed up the engine to the installation point and all of the timing marks were lined up, so I think I'm good to pull the tensioner pin, turn it over a few more times, and put everything back together.
I backed up the engine to the installation point and all of the timing marks were lined up, so I think I'm good to pull the tensioner pin, turn it over a few more times, and put everything back together.
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