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Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

I've had this problem for a few months, and thought quite a few times that it was solved, with some insights from Brickboard folks. This car (89 B230F automatic non-turbo wagon with about 315,000 miles on it) ran fine, 29 mpg, until last year, the mileage dropped gradually to 23-24, so I replaced the plugs,wires,dist. cap&rotor, timing belt, and fuel pumps. Then one day it died and wouldn't start. I changed every sensor, or checked them per the FAQ and found them ok. Well, then it would start, but only after a lot of tries, and had no power. I've checked the timing marks repeatedly, since it acts like it's badly out of time. So, today, a young trained mechanic was overseeing the work, I again removed the fan, timing cover, etc., and the marks are right where they should be, but the distributor is a tooth or two off, and on removing the valve cover, noticed that the cam lobes for the front cylinder are not even close to even, which I have heard they should be - that they should both be pointing upward. One is and one is horizontal.

What is this situation caused by? IS there a pin broken or missing, or something? And how can it just get a tooth or two's distance behind?








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    Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

    Is the distributer at back end of camshaft or front left side of engine? (my '90 is on camshaft)
    If on camshaft, any error in cam timing will match dist. error.

    step 1 - is the tensioner adjusted correctly to prevent belt jumping teeth?

    step 2 - immediately on setting timing belt, does the cam look correctly aligned?
    Timing marks on crankshaft sprocket are hard to see - check carefully.

    Be sure there is mechanical connection between the shafts and sprockets, otherwise there are parts damaged or missing. Keyway on crankshaft indexes to drive sprocket and small roll pin in camshaft indexes to cam sprocket.

    Spark timing is by computer, so misalignment of dist. will not affect it. Also you cannot rely on marks on harmonic balancer if the rubber has deteriorated.

    Let us know how it goes...








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    Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

    You can't really depend on the crank pulley timing marks unless you've verified the pulley is good and the outer section has not slipped. Better to remove the #1 plug and rotate the engine 'til the piston is at the top of the compression stroke. Both valves should be closed of course and the crank pulley at the TDC position. If the pulley is off it should be replaced because you can't use it to time the engine.








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    Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

    Not sure of your definition of horizontal, since the engine is canted slightly. You need to confirm that the #1 is at top dead center on the compression stroke. Then check and see if the cam spocket pin has not sheared, or that the crank shaft pulley is not separating. Put a timing light on it when you get to run, and see where the mark is. Should be 12degrees BTDC.
    --
    Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.








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      Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

      Actually, the pulley's ok. But we weren't going by the pulley. When the timing mark on the sprocket on the crankshaft is pointed at the mark on the block behind it the mark on the cam sprocket is pointed at the mark on the plastic front-cover type thing that has the mark, just like they should be. But if, as Alldatadiy says, there's a notch on the rim of the distributor for the rotor to line up with, then the rotor is in the wrong position when those two are right. And the distributor can't be turned.








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        Timing marks right, distributor off a bit..& no pwr, backfires.. 700

        Maybe take the camm sprocket off and check if the alignment pin hasn't sheared. That's been reported here a few times.







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