so, doing a full vq35de na build and am at the timing part of building. we are a little confused on the following



so was working on the engine today some. everything was going good but when we went to put the primary timing chain on, it looks like we are one tooth off.

here is the problem





all timing marks are lined up on both heads






but when we routed the chain around the guides and water pump, there seemed to be too much slack on the water pump side instead of the chain tensioner side.





when we put the slack on the tensioner side, then the crank sproket and primary chain were one tooth off, even though the crank pulley key is facing up toward the bank 2 head and aligned with the marking on the block.






any ideas? could it have something to do with the intake sprockets being slightely off? the chain is new and we put it up next to the stock chain that come off this block and all the colored markings lined up the same. it just seems that with the slack on the water pump side, that things will get out of time as soon as things start spinning. any help is appreciated.

 

so i went ahead and just bolted everything up with all camshaft timing marks all lined up, but the crankshaft timing chain mark was one tooth off and this is how it looks:




crank sprocket lined up with the mark




primary chain 1 tooth off from the stamp on the crank sprocket




if i move the slack in the chain over to the water pump side so the crank sprocket mark lines up with the chain, then i cant get the chain tensioner guide in there because its too tight.

 

I recently went through the same thing. What I did is leave the slack on the tensioner side and rotate the crank slightly to get the timing mark correct on the crank. The FSM says to do as per below. EM-69 in the 2004 manual

When it is difficult to align mating marks of timing chain (primary) with each sprocket, gradually turn camshaft using wrench on the hexagonal portion to align it with the mating marks.

Also make sure you look behind the intake sproket to make sure the dot on the VTC lines up with the gold link

 

just turn the crank to line it up...........


it doesn't mater if u turn it, u can turn the crank all the way around when the chain isn't on..... dont leave it one tooth off or ull be taking it back apart when u start it.....

 

"it doesn't mater if u turn it, u can turn the crank all the way around when the chain isn't on"

Not true. From the 2007 service manual section EM:

"After removing timing chain (primary), do not turn crankshaft and camshaft separately, or valves will strike the piston heads."

You'd be better off to turn the camshaft as described in post #3.

 

Rotating the crank by itself one tooth shouldn't cause piston/valve contact. It basically comes down to how accurate the timing mark on the block next to the crank sprocket is, and if that can be a little off

 

Thank you sir, are you 100% sure it's ok to rotate the crank that little bit?

 

It didn't appear any other way to line it up. I only had to move it about 8mm from memory and was ok. Will it hit doubt it. I just turned very slowly till it just lined up then put on the tensioner on.

Also ensure you put lube on the crank bolt as per the FSM

 

alright man, thanks. yea, its just one tooth so not very far at all. just means the mark on the block by the crank sprocket will be slightly off, but all of the actual chain markings will be aligned. i appreciate everyones responses.

 

when it is all hooked up and tightened down, i will rotate everything together by hand to make sure nothing makes contact, but i agree with you, there really seems to be no other way.

 

looks good