Help!!!

I just replaced the timming belt on my 98 stratus 2.4l and I'm haveing some serious trouble getting the timing marks to stay lined up when I put the new belt on. When I do get the belt on, the intake cam moves about 1 1/2 notches and the engin does not run right. Maybe I'm an idiot but, can somebody help guide me in the right direction to get the new timming belt on right!!

Thanks for any advice!!

(Also, would running the engin like this cause any damage to the valves?)

 

Check to be sure your tensioner is set correctly to provide the proper amount of tension on the belt. If the tension is not set right (too loose), you can be off a tooth or two on the belt and the marks won't line up after the first revolution of the camshaft as compared to the crank. I replaced mine using a Haynes manual for directions and their method for installing the belt worked fine for me. Once you set the belt with the correct tension (I have a hydraulic tensioner on mine where the piston is held in place by a pin to install it then once in, you pull the pin to provide the tension), rotate the crank a couple of times around and make sure the marks on both lilne up with the engine marks each time. To set the tensioner, I think I used a torque wrench at a specified torque then tightened down the tensioner mount bolts.

I would think that as long as there is no loud noise then you haven't damaged any valves but they are probably very close to hitting the pistons (i.e. out of sync - valve timing is not right) which is why the engine is running rough.

Hope this helps.

taco