i had a mechanic do my timing belt and since then the idle has been pulsing and i've been gettin like 5mpg less gas mileage..i took it back and he said the timing belt was fine, but for some reason i just dont beleive him...is there any way to check my timing w/o taking everything apart? ..i dont really have the mechanical knowledge/confidence to take it all apart myself lol

Mods: E-bay Intake, Vibrant Muffler, J Woodleys Ground Wire Kit, F&R Upper Strut Bars, B&M Short Shifter

1) Take spark plug out of cylinder nearest timing belt
2) Place a LONG ratchet extension or wooden dowel in spark plug hole
3) DONT DROP IT IN, it should be at least 10" long so you can get it out easily
4) Rotate crank clockwise until your extension/dowel is EXACTLY at its highest point.
5) Remove little bolt from timing belt cover
6) Use RULER! to line up an imaginary line between the two cam bolts
7) Check that the timing marks on cams line up exactly.
8) If they're a little off, you can bump the crank a millimeter or so to get them closer, but they MUST line up EXACTLY with the cam bolts, not just eachother. It's really hard to see the cam bolts with the timing belt cover on, just do your best.

To be 100% sure, if he persists, remove the crank pulley, jack the engine up, remove the passenger motor mount, remove the timing belt cover, and re-time it yourself.

If your idle is lumpy, you have loss of power around 4k RPM, and major fuel economy loss, your timing is off 1 tooth. 9 out of 10 mechanics fuck it up the first time they try it.

I fucked it up the first time :wallbash but I got a CEL ('98RS) saying it was one or more teeth off. It was one tooth off. Thing ran like hell when it was one tooth off.

yea see thats hwat he said..if it was off it would run like all hell..but it doesnt really run bad its just the idle is off a lil..and even the idle isnt horrible its just noticeable..and im gettin worse gas mileage, but only losing maybe a lil power..could it be thats its just off a lil tiny bit?

edit-where can i find a 10" extension lol all i've ever seen was a 6", which i have

Mods: E-bay Intake, Vibrant Muffler, J Woodleys Ground Wire Kit, F&R Upper Strut Bars, B&M Short Shifter

95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
15.7 @ 87.9mph
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html

I fucked it up like 15 times before i got it, its a total bitch and i am a diesel mechanic if that says anything. I could definatly see how a mechanic could be off a little on the first try. Its much easier with the engine out;-)

Good pic Jim, thanks :)

Just a tip, if you look at diagram CEN0015 up there (crank sprocket pic) you'll notice they have the crank just about 1/4 tooth off TDC. (It's not even 1/2 tooth counterclockwise yet like they're trying to show).

To line up TDC *perfectly*, once you get to the inspection stage, you can follow the arrow on the crank sprocket, across the top of the tooth, up to the arrow on the oilpump.

Saves trying to eyeball the two marks from just the right angle.

Originally posted by reeveso
edit-where can i find a 10" extension lol all i've ever seen was a 6", which i have

Shit, I've got a 20", try sears for around $10 or so. You can also use a long screw driver, but be gentle.

just take your splash shield off, rotate the UD pulley bolt til the crank sprocket lines up with the oil pump, then check the cam gears to make sure the lines are lined up in the middle exactly. thats it, u just checked your timing.