How to find timing belts marks toyota rav4 2l

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.

Water Pump and Timing Belt Issues

Leaking Water Pump


Q: I just took my car to Pep Boys and they just found a leak in my water pump. I don't really think that it just happened because I just had it in the shop about two weeks ago. But they told me that to replace the water pump, that I "HAVE" to replace the timing belt and all this other stuff with new parts. I want to know if that is true. Also what can I do until I gather enough money to repair the car?



A:On old model vehicles it was said that if the timing belt needs to be replaced then water pump also has to be replaced and viceversa.

What can you do until you gather enough money? Avoid driving the vehicle. Overheating an engine is a sure fire way to empty the check book. You did not mention what type of vehicle you own so it is not easy to tell you what you can and cannot get away with. It is not uncommon on today's vehicles for the water pump to be driven by the timing belt. To service the water pump on a vehicle with this type of configuration requires removing the timing belt.As per our garage repair experience i will say. You do not have to replace the timing belt when this work is being done. But all you're saving is the cost of the timing belt. All the labor money is tied up in replacing the water pump. There are also some oil seals that are ideally serviced while the timing belt is off as well. Many manufacturers have recommended timing belt service intervals between 60k and 90k. If your timing belt has that kind of mileage on it do yourself a favor and have it replaced while the water pump is being serviced. If the timing belt has low mileage, then don't replace it if monies are tight. The bottom line? You call the shots, it's your car and your money. If all you want is a water pump, and understand fully the possible additional costs you may face later by not performing the suggested repairs, just do the water pump.