1998 Toyota 4Runner timing belt

Tiny
TROPICALJAZZ
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  • 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 241,000 MILES
I changed the water pump and timing belt on the 4runner, I bought the kit from napa. After installing the belt, with all the marks on the belt, wheels and block.
Testing the belt, I rotated the belt by hand and after one revolution, all the marks jump one spot to my right.
the car will run (20) sec just fine but I don't think its good that the marks keep moving to the right.
I counted the notches on the old belt and the new (192) are the same.
the truck purs like a kitten when it runs, but this makes me uneasy. Is this normal?
all the marks move the same distance and direction when run. Everything is tight and lined up.
Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 4:53 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are you making sure there is no slack in the belt on the non tensioner side and your leaving the slack on the tensioner side till you pull the pin on the tensor then the slick is gone?When you turn it over the marks should still line up.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
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The kit came with the upper and lower pulleys. There is no slack in the belt on either the tensioner or non tensioner side. I did put the auto tensioner in by hand, (not depressing it) and used the two bolts to tighten in place, but all the marks lined up.
What don't understand is why the sprocket marks and the camshaft sprocket stay in sink but the marks on the belt keeps moving to the right.
Is there a adjustment to stop this? The truck has run fine off and on for a min and a half (20-30sec ) at a time.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
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So the marks on the cam sprockets line up after turning it over once?But the marks on the belt move one tooth advanced from the cam sprocket marks?If so that's normal it will do that. Also you didn't replace the tensor?If not I would change that.I always do a complete kit.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for confirming my other sources, about the marks on the belt are just for the initial turn, well I wish that
was highlighted a little more. I'm happy that its normal but I've spent 2 days taking it all apart again.
Thanks for helping me. I'll probably seek out more advice in the future.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
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Your welcome that's what were here for.
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+1
Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
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New question about my timing belt on the 98 4runner, I did replace the tentioner. The truck ran
like a sewing machine, took it on a test drive 4 or 5 miles. Then it started knocking, at first a little then
progressively louder. The truck was still smooth running. I let it sit over night and the next day no knocking
sound. After another drive maybe 10 miles, next day it wouldn't start. Towed back home. Started over installing
timing belt, lining up all marks, it will start ok and idle but won't rev up very well,

all the marks line up top and bottom, but if I didn't know better I would say it was still off somehow.
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Monday, November 4th, 2013 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
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After you towed it home did you check the timing marks before adjusting them?If so were they off and how many teeth we're they off?
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Monday, November 4th, 2013 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
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The cam timing marks seem to stay inn sink, but the crank belt might be a couple marks off. Hard to tell.
Is there a way I could have moved the crank shaft ( like when I was tighting the bolt back) it did make a popping
sound, but couldn't tell if it changed anything. And made the mark out of whack?
I'm thinking now about moving the mark all around until it runs right.
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Monday, November 4th, 2013 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
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If you heard a popping it could have jumped timing make sure all the marks are lining up.
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Monday, November 4th, 2013 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
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After lining up all timing marks top and bottom, the truck will start ok, but after 30 sec or so start sputtering
and shaking, it will die after that.
I thinking I've done something to change the settings on the crank shaft or moved something, and now it
won't run right. Help.
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2013 AT 3:59 AM
Tiny
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Did you spin it around two full turns after after setting the timing an make sure all the marks are still lined up?WS the crankshaft marks off if so how many teeth?
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2013 AT 6:41 AM
Tiny
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I didn't spin it by hand this time, after it ran a little, both the marks on the upper spindles were @ 12 o-clock and
the crankshaft was at TDC. (Now the mark for the belt was/ is @ 3 o-clock) as per instructions.
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2013 AT 1:01 PM
Tiny
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So all the timing marks are all lined up now?Have you checked for engine trouble codes in the computer?
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2013 AT 1:57 PM

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