Ok Im having one or two problems lining up the timing on my 99 3.0. Im using a proper locking kit and have a genuine vx timing kit. Unfortunatly the belt does not have the white lines to assist in setting up so I have had to guess on where the belt should be.

Ive watched the DVD and started by putting the belt around the crank tightly ensuring it is sat in the teeth properly then fitted the locking wedge. I then proceed to feed it around tensioner and pull tight then I feed it around the first bank ensuring as little play as possible. Then I feed it around 1st tensioner and around right hand sprockets again ensuring no slackness. Then I position it and refit the lower tensioner ensuring its in the right position and tighten up.

Then I set the main tensioner and remove locking tools. Rotate engine 360 degrees ensuring to refit bottom tool to ensure top dead centre on final position.

However when this is done I appear to be getting roughly two teeth out on rh bank and 1 1/2 teeth out on left hand bank. Ive done this four times and roughly get the same position every time. I am clearly doing something wrong or is it just a case of try try again. I have attahced a couple of photos of the positions I end up with:

The crank was set at to dead centre using the proper locking tool and the cams were also locked using tools on each occasion.

Thats whats confusing me as I could understand if we were only talking 1 or 1/2 tooth out but a full two teeth appears to me to be a lot 

Like I stated above.

The crank was in correct position, the cam sprockets were lined up and locked off and the adjuster pulleys were in place as per dvd stated.

The only thing I can think is that I need to leave a little more slack on the left hand bank to prevent the tensioner pulley pulling the timing back. But correct me if Im wrong 

Didnt think you could have the crank in the wrong position if you use the locking tool. It appears to be in the correct position and it buts up to the water pump level so I dont see how it could be wrong.

But saying that if one of the more experienced members would like to correct me I would be more than happy to listen   

Ok I will give that a go. Got nothing to lose.

Hoping I can get it sorted this morning as took the day off work to get her running if possible 

Will let you know as soon as its finnished.

Got it all lined up within 1 tooth but couldnt get the last tooth in line so removed and starting again. God I love this car.

Is it possible to get the bottom crank tool engaged wrong. I cant properly see but it appears to be on correctly and fits on ok.

Darth Loo-knee wrote on 02. Jun 2009 at 23:39:


I agree. Then take out any slack in the right hand and centre runs of the belt using the adjustable idlers, and (re-)adjust the sprung tensioner before turning the crank over.

Kevin