How do I reset the timing back to normal on my car?

Which engine do you have?

2.2 l v4 engine

When you changed the water pump did you use the holding tool or pull the front cover?The water pump runs off the balance shaft chain not the timing chain if that was out of time the engine would start but vibrate.

On a 2000 saturn lw1? It looks like the timing chain to me. The engine won't turn over at all. So that would mean the timing chain if off right?

Look for yourself the water pump sprocket is in the upper left hand side in the pic. The timing chain runs on the outter sprocket so it wouldnt line up with the water pump pulley.I have replaced lots of those timing chains and the chain goes around the cam sprockets and the crank sprocket. So what did you do?Please give details I asked you questions and you never answered them.I wasnt there to see how you did it.

Also read the timing chain install instructions I posted doesnt say anything about put the chain around the water pump.

Awesome! I just needed that damn diagram to know exactly where each colored link went. I found out that the manual for my car had certain things they were supposed to update in the timing section so im sure the water pump was part of it. THANK YOU!

Your welcome thats what were here keep me posted on how you make out.

Now we just dont know how to turn the sprockets to get them in the right position. We were way off. The bottom sprocket is at 12, not 6. Or do we completely take the chain off to turn the sprockets, or can we leave the chain on?

Those colored links only line up every 33 revolutions if memory serves correct. Those colored links are for intial timing setting when the timing chain is removed and out back on or replaced. Why did the timing jump?Those engines are known for bad timing chains and timing chain tenisors the early ones anyways like yours. To set the timing if its off you have to remove the chain. How far off was the timing?Because thats a interfernce engine meaning if its off too far the pistons can hit the valves.

Oh great. Then the pistons probably hit the valves. Dont ask me how the timing was off. My bf messed with it. Well the crankshaft is at 12 and should be at 6. So we ruined the motor then?

So you said the motor wouldnt turn over?If so that was probably a valve up againist the piston.I would remove the timing chain reset the timing colored links etc and do a compression test before putting the front cover back on. Use the old bolts to put the cam sprockets back on if the compression is good then replace the cam sprocket bolts etc like in the first info I posted for you. Please post the compression results of all cylinders for me. If the compression is low then the head will have to come off to be looked at to see the damage split valve guides bent valves etc.

But we didnt hear any noises, like the piston hitting the valves.

Usually you cant hear it happen when you said the engine wouldnt turn over did you mean it would crank and not start?Or no crank no start?Also why did he mess with the timing chain timing anyways?

The engine wouldnt crank at all. We needed to get the water pump off and theres a sprocket thats sits on the back side of the water pump, unless we couldve got the water pump off without opening all that at all.

There is a water pump holding tool that allows the water pump to be changed without pulling the front cover timing chain or balance shaft chain. It fits thru the water pump access hole thur the front of the front cover. The otc brand ones are only like 28 on amazon.

Too late for that now right. I called a mechanic he said he would come by and reset it for $30 and go from there if there is anything else.

Thats cheap to reset if it has good compression then make sure you replace those cam sprocket bolts etc. Also make sure the balance shaft timing is on or the engine will vibrate.

Okay everything looks good on the timing work we did with the mechanic. But that's all he did and left. Now can we crank the engine over without putting everything back together and refilling the oil? Just to see if it works real quick.

Heres what you need to do dont try to start it take the spark plugs out then do a compression test on all the cylinders. Each cylinder test needs ten revolutions with the throttle wide open. Post all the compression results. If the compression is good we still have to replace the cam sprocket bolts etc because they can only be used once.