2UZ-FE Timing Realignment

Hello all,

I recently replaced the timing belt on my engine and made the mistake of mixing up the right and left camshafts. The vehicle has been driven about a hundred miles since the replacement, but has had no significant issues and no sounds are coming from the engine that would indicate significant damage.

The check engine light is on though, which is what caused me to double check everything and is how I discovered that I installed the belt incorrectly.

I am going to crack the engine open as soon as I get the chance (the vehicle is parked until I can get to it) and wanted to know how to re-time the engine so that everything runs as it should when the belt is installed correctly. This will be in a 2007 Sequoia if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/toyota-2uz-fe-timing-belt-marks-4-7l.335/

So the L-cam mark ended up on the right cam? As long as the cams & crank were in the correct position, i dont think the engine cares where the belts cogs end up. Read the trouble code, and if the cams are out of time, maybe do a compression test to make sure none of the valves were bent. But if it drove for 100 miles, its probably fine.

 

Yes, using an Aisin timing belt I put the arrows pointing towards the cab/rear of the vehicle with the arrows on the opposite cams. Every mark lined up, even after hand cranking the engine to verify timing. I’m not 100% what the actual culprit is, but per a certified Toyota dealership the codes it is throwing indicate bad timing.

And honestly, I would rather leave it as is but I don’t want to have something come back to bite me ( an ounce of prevention, etc.)

I read on another thread that in the case that timing is off, the crank shaft can be turned to 22.5 degrees past TDC (which should put it at ATDC) to allow for clearance, and then the cams can be turned to the “T” ATDC marks. After that the belt can be installed as normal. This is all done with the belt off, if I am understanding correctly.

I just can’t seem to find anyone who has manually reset their timing without the belt on after the timing goes out of alignment. I may just be overly cautious, but if you or anyone else has experience with this, I appreciate any input.

 

Quick update: So I got the engine open today, and it looks like the cams are timed to each other, but the crankshaft is a few teeth behind them. When both cams are at TDC, the crankshaft is just a few teeth off. (See attached photos)

To clarify my last post, can I set the cams to TDC, remove the belt, turn the crankshaft to TDC and reinstall the belt to reset the timing?

If not, what is the proper procedure?