I did a timing belt change today but I was having trouble with the timing marks.

 

On the cam gears there are 2 dots, and I know they have to be aligned, looking at each other.

 

On the crank gear the mark is a ground tooth, but where should it be facing?

 

I have seen some AFH cam belt changes online, but mine does not have the same marks.

For e.x. This one seems apparent as to where the mark should be facing.

 

 

But my car has this type of marks on the block. Does anyone know where the crank mark should be facing?

 

 

Anyone?

I don't have an AFH.

 

But, you can re-find TDC on just about any combustion engine* by putting something long and thin down cylinder 1's spark or glow plug hole (i've used a chopstick and a welding rod) and turning the  crank until the rod sticks out as far as it can then drops back again as you slowly turn crank)

 

(With a chopstick I draw a horizontal line with a marker pen where it enters the head, so I can see the change -line is obscured or revealed - if I turn the crank while unable to observe the chopstick moving. Piston can't be any higher than the top.)

 

The midpoint of crank rotation while the rod is farthest out is when piston is at 0 degrees. Using a dial test indicator touching that rod makes the movement more visible.

 

*awkward on horizontal boxer engines

 

 

Edited 7 May, 20224 yr by dvderlm

This is from the dealer manual 

 

I think that aligns with the right hand mark on your picture ?

Thank you guys for the help!

 

I ended up putting the crank mark on the second line in the photo, the one that nige pointed out.

 

It seems to align with top dead center but i do not have the tool to measure the exact degrees as dvderlm pointed out.

Car appears to run okay, although it may randomly shut down if the engine is not  fully warm. probably once every 5 days.

 

Before that I put the crank mark on the line before, and the car was misfiring and shutting down as soon as you hit the gas.

 

Again thanks for all the help!

@contactnfsu bit late now but just found this, the two marks are for 8 valve & 16 valve