Timing Belt problem!

[Andy348]

I just put on my new timing belt (M20B25) and turned the engine using a 22mm wrench @ the crank. I turned it until the top pulley was lined up, and the crank pulley seemed to be good or perhaps just one tooth off. So I tried to turn it over twice to see if it would change everything, yet I got half way through the first rotation and it couldn't go anymore.

Now I think I might be able to force it to go, but I really don't want any pistons hitting valves. What should I do? I figure that I could take off the belt and turn both pulleys back to exactly TDC and start there, but I'm trying to avoid that (unless ofc it's one tooth off).

Thanks

[jlevie]

Back up the engine until the mark on the crank hub lines up with the notch in the lower timing cover. The cam sprocket mark should be aligned. If it isn't, remove the belt and rotate the cam until it lines up and then reinstall the belt. It is best to have the spark plugs out when doing this so you aren't fighting compression. Once the belt is on correctly, rotate the engine through two revolutions and stop when the crank mark lines up. Then check the cam marks.

[Andy348]

I just removed the belt to do the above, yet I'm having trouble rotating the cam by hand. I've removed the spark plugs but it really doesn't want to move.

[blacksport325]

This may sounds dumb but I made the same mistake, are you sure you aren't in gear?

[Andy348]

Haha yeah, the engine is on a stand in my garage, so I sure hope not!

I got the cam to turn using the old belt and quite a bit of force. Now I've got both the cam and the crank at TDC, so I'll connect the belt and go from there.

Thanks for all the replies

[Andy348]

Everything is lined up and I'm still getting what seems like pistons hitting the valves. Any ideas?

[Andy348]

Well, I feel kind of dumb. The other end of the crank was hitting the bolts holding the engine on the stand. -_-