How to find timing belts marks toyota rav4 2l
Can not find proper timing marks to set timing belt on toyota rav4 2 liter.
I have just replaced my water pump on my 1998 RAVE4, also, the timing belt and the other two belts. I had a tough time with the timing marks. The way you line these marks up is easy if you take the time, First, if you are changing the timing belt you pull the balancer and both top and bottom plastic covers,(do not try to pull top cover off before you take off balencer and the motor mount off or you will just break it.), Second after covers are removed you will have access to the timing belt, you can now remove it by loosening the tensioner bolt and pushing down on the tensioner wheel, the belt then can be taken off. Third take out number one sparkplug and replace the bottom cover by maybe two bolts so that you can see marks on cover, next replace the balancer and bolt. Turn the motor over by hand with the balancer so the small divit on the back of the balancer is on 0 or top dead center on the compression stroke, you can use a compression gauge for this or I just used a mirror and light to shine in the number one cylinder to see the piston. Next remove the balancer and cover and make sure to make a mark on crankshaft gear and housing. Next you will need mirror and flashlight, now turn camshaft gear clockwise to line the hole in the gear with the top timing mark. I recommend a small circle mirror for this. Now replace the belt. I turned the crank shaft gear one tooth counter clockwise off mark and the camshaft one tooth clock wise off mark so when the belt is on you can turn the camshaft gear counter clockwise to get tension on the belt and marks will line up. I would recommend changing water pump,tensioner wheel, and the idler wheel. After belt is on I would replace the bottom cover the balancer and the crankshaft sensor. Iwould then start it to make sure the water pump is not leaking and the motor is not pinging or you will have to tear it back apart again.
There is a hole in the cam gear that if you look through it with a mirror and light you should see a small notch in the cam cap. on the crank gear there is a small divot between the teeth just to the left of the keyway notch that should align with a small dimple on the oil pump cover.
