Camshaft timing marks?

Tiny
VR250
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 160,000 MILES
My car has the 2.2 liter 5 SFE engine. I am re-assembling the head after replacing the head gasket and I am having trouble with setting up the cams. I can set up the inlet cam timing with top dead center, but when I look to the marks on the rear of the cam sprockets, I have one mark on the inlet cam (no problem there), but have three marks on the rear of the exhaust cam sprocket. Which one of the three do I align with the inlet cam mark?

Checked tags and is definitely the 5s-fe engine. It has one gear bolted to inlet cam driven by the timing belt. Inlet cam has a second gear on it that meshes with a gear on the exhaust cam. Will find a picture to show what I mean.

PS. I did originally mark the cams myself on the out side of sprocket, but these marks came of in the parts washer. DOH!
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012 AT 1:07 PM

48 Replies

Tiny
VR250
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The gears circled are the gears in question check out the diagram (BELOW)
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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I have found the guides you need. Refer to diagrams (below). Pay attention to the service nut. Failure to set the mark correctly would result in valve clearance issues

Here is the timing belt marks as well

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/toyota/camry/1999

Check out the diagrams (Below) Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
VR250
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Thank you all.

KHLow2008, that was the information I needed but could not find. Thank you.

P.S. I love this site! 2CarPros is the best!
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
KHJ
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I just wanted to note that in the last photo which shows the timing marks and assembly marks, the photo makes it appear that if the gears are meshed so that the timing marks line up, then the assembly marks will not line up. However, on my 1999 Camry, the assembly marks also lined up.

I do not know if this varies with different vehicles, but just saying, do not be worried if the alignment of the assembly marks on you vehicle is slightly different than the photo. The important thing is that the timing marks line up, and that you are indeed checking the timing marks.

Anyway, thanks very much for these photos, they saved me much grief.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Both marks would line up. One is the mark for you to line up while installing the cams. When you turn the cam to get them seated, the other would line up.
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Saturday, March 25th, 2017 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
CHRISTIE10
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
Noises problem
1999 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 370000 miles

I would like to know if timing belts need to be changed on a high mileage vehicle a second time. I am getting close to 400000 miles and she is very loud when I started this morning.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
YES THEY DO. AT LEAST EVERY 100,000
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARIODIAZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
Trying to change the water pump, I removed the timing belt cover and loosen the #1 Idler pulley, when I tried to loosen the crankshaft pulley I turned the crankshaft alone loosing the sync between the Camshaft sprocket and the Crankshaft sprocket. How do I find the proper alignment between the camshaft and crankshaft? I have not replaced the water pump yet. I will replace the water pump and the timing belt at the same time.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Hope that can help let me know if more info needed


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_untitled_1.jpg

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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARIODIAZ
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Thanks for your quick response.
I still need to know if there is any marking for the Crankshaft or a way to find its right position. I'm assuming that the Crankshaft and the Camshaft both have to be at an exact position to maintain the "time" (synchrony) or the engine will never start.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_toyo_2.jpg



let me know if more needed
good luck
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAZZIEJ2008
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Automatic

what are the specification settings for replacing the titiming belt
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Hi
Not sure what you want but will start with timing mark reference


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_310.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Grafic_3_86.jpg


Hope this helps
Thanks for donate
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
R-BLANCHARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 41,000 MILES
If the timing belt should fail, is there a danger of mashing the valves on this engine?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DGK
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  • 10 POSTS
Your Camry will not damage the engine if it breaks, however you will be on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck if it does go. Replacement interval for your belt is aroung 90k. If you have never changed your T Belt do it. Even though the mileage is low, belts can break from old age. 6 Years is a good rule of thumb for belt replacement on Toyotas.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IANJOHNSON1
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  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 157,000 MILES
Ok The best way I can describe it is after I get the timing belt installed, the tension set, then turn the crank the 2 revolutions clockwise the camshaft timing mark does not line up again, it is about a 1/4" from making the full revolution and lining back up. This is a 1999 camry with 2.2I4. Just wondering if there is something I am missing because I have followed the manual step by step and the camshaft not realigning.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When markings are lined up, during installation of belt, you would need to make allowances for the belt slack.

After making 2 turns, which is not lining up? We use the notch of the sprocket to make comparisons. Count how many notches it is off and when you repeat, make the allowances by turning the camshaft the forward or backwards the required notches.

The new timing belt should have markings for the various marks, using them would be the fastest and most accurate.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IANJOHNSON1
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Alright well I what you said and I was able to get everything lined up perfectly and the car started no problem other than the dead battery. Here is my big concern, I replaced all major components underneath the timing cover with the exception of the oil pump and power steering pump. The car was making a sound that appeared to be coming from the timing cover area. It sounded like a bad bearing and something tapping against the cover. I was told by several people about these cars and that the tensioner would go bad and make this type of sound and that the water pump was making the tapping sound. As it turns out both components were indeed bad. After I got everything back together I started the car and I am still hearing the same tapping sound. The sound will at times stop and then start again and sometimes I do not hear it until I rev the engine a little to around 2000 RPM then it will start. Other times it is making the sound as soon I start it. Any advice would be a great help. Thank you for the info you have offered so far.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Most likely the valve lifters are making the noise you described if it is coming from top of engine. Have the valve clearances checked.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTINEKEELER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Does this car have a free running motor or will it seize immediatly if the timing belt breaks
it has not had the belt replaced
i just bought it
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)

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