VG30E TDC

[Packman]

I just replaced timing belt on my 93 pickup truck. After aligning the timing punch marks on the crankshaft timing gear and the camshaft sprockets, I noticed the timing indicator pointer on the lower timing belt cover points at the 10 deg mark on the crankshaft pulley (vibration damper pulley).

Shouldn't the timing indicator pointer point at 0 deg instead of 10 deg BTDC when all timing punch marks on the crankshaft gear and the camshaft sprockets are all aligned. This where I got confused

BTW, if I assume the mark on the crankshaft pulley is correct and set the firing timing at 15 deg BTDC the engine idles at ~750 rmp. If I assume the mark on the crankshaft pulley is wrong (10 deg BTDC mark is TDC in this case) and set the firing timing at 15 deg BTDC the engine idles at ~1400 rmp.

Which one (alignment marks on the crankshaft gear and the camshaft sprockets or the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley) should I trust as true indication of cyl 1 TDC.

Thanks in advance.

[mtcookson]

Yeah, that definitely doesn't sound correct. Is it possible that you're a tooth off on the belt?

Be sure to use the marks on the timing belt to finalize lining up the gears as the marks on the covers aren't always in perfect alignment.

[Packman]

I had actually taken the timing belt cover again just to make sure that I did not miss a tooth or two on the timing belt. 40 teeht between the timing marks on the RH and LH camshaft sprocket and 43 teeth the LH camshaft sprocket and crankshaft gear - just like the factory service manual specified.

Wondering if I made wrong assumption about the marking on the crankshaft pulley. Do the marker start from 0 deg TDC or 10 deg past TDC?

BTW, any idea why the idle speed goes to ~ 1400 rpm if I adjust the ignition timing to 15 deg BTDC assuming timing mark on the Crankshaft gear is true cyl 1 TDC?

Thanks.

[mtcookson]

The leftmost timing mark on the crank pulley should be TDC. That's definitely very strange, I can't think of what would cause that. Is the woodruff key in good shape? Is the pulley and belt cover stock? Maybe the timing indicator on the cover is bent?