Okay. my dad has a 2001 Xterra which is seriously modded.



I did the timing belt on it last weekend (I have done several Honda's but never a V-6). Well the timing is off. I will tear it all apart tomorrow but I'm sure I had the timing marks set right. Maybe I was not on the compression stroke? Is there a backyard mechanic way to tell for sure on a V-6? There are a mark on each cam gear and a mark on the crank belt gear. All three were lined up with the marks on the belt but it's off. Now he forgot to buy the tensioner so I am thinking it was bad and the belt went lose and the belt skipped a tooth. What do you think?

 

rock crawler nice..
what size lift he put on

 

Calmini 3" suspension lift and 2" body lift, add a leafs, plus 33" tires. Any ideas on the timing?

 

i usually take the no. 1 spark plug out and stick a big screwdriver in there. that way, when the no.1 pistion is on the compression stroke, the screwdriver will pop out. i am assuming you are looking for TDC.

 

Yes, I was scared to use a screw driver for fear of scratching the cylinder surface so I used a wooden dowl and the timing was perfect. The timing was not off. I had accidently dented the lower timing cover and it was rubbing against the tensioner. You live and learn I guess.