2.4t VVT adjustment right or a problem

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 18 May 2012, 17:43

Hey I am new but have looked over many of the topics here learning much. I have got a car that runs bad ,bad meaning it will run fine until boost comes in ten the car Boggs and falls on its face. Only code has been the p0016 but the dealership had done a timing belt replacement and never ran right since. The turbo will be glowing red after trying to get the car to accelerate. So I under went completely checking timing and redoing it ,also removing vvt hub to reset ( I used all lockout tools) my issue I'm trying to figure out is after setting tension preload on vvt hub and installing belt I check timing by rotating by hand and when I line up marks my exhaust cam back groves are not horizontal like the intake camshaft. I figured out that after one revolution the hub looses its preload. I can turn vvt hub clockwise again. Does this mean the hub is broke or am I doing something wrong.

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 20 May 2012, 21:53

I need some input I'm at a stand still. If the hub is the problem any sites that sell it besides dealer?

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 May 2012, 22:11

If you turn it 2 turns and you installed correctly placed then it will be aligned. If you turn it CCW it will not be aligned as that direction does let the spring tension unwind.
With cam locked, crank marks aligned and the gear set on VVT in the center of the three bolt slots, mount vvt on exhaust cam 1 1/2 teeth left of where mark would be aligned with top cover notch. Secure the VVT TX 55 bolt tightly but not torqued. Turn the VVT to the right until it stops and see if the mark now aligns. If not loosen the TX55 and set left or right of the first trial position as needed and then tighten turn and recheck for alignment. When the mark is correct when turned to CW stop then torque the TX 55 to 89 ft-lbs and install the VVT center plug and torque to 33 ft-lb. Loosen the three bolts on VVT and have the three bolts on intake cam loose. Now to make life MUCH easier use a TX 55 bit with ratchet in the VVT plug and have belt behind ratchet so you put it around gears monetarily, Use baling wire/mechanic's wire on ratchet handle and pull ratchet to the right to hold VVT against or very nearly against its stop. The wire on ratchet can be tied off to lift eye or to power steering line to secure it. Now fit belt around all the gears. Start with crank and work it onto all the pulleys and be sure the marks on cam gears are aligned with top cover notches when you are done.
WHen you are satisfied with marks then overtighten the belt by rotating the tensioner by way of the 6mm allen to the left to make pointer go past desired tension a ways and then bring it back down to the right position between vertical indicators. Now hold tensioner and tighten the bolt. The belt may not get taut all way round so the overtighten step assures even tension.
The cam gears need to be loose to allow them to float to right place when tensioning. Now turn the ratchet to right to get VVT to its stop point and torque the three bolts to 8 ft-lbs. Torque the three on intake cam gear to 11 ft-lb.

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 21 May 2012, 22:18

Thanks so much for help but I've done this like 3 times. Just like you said with lock tools and when I start back cam groves are horizontal but when all done and and preload hub and line marks up I can rotate engine twice and my cam gears lineup but the back cam grove(exhaust) is no longer horizontal. Would the cam hub play a role in this or am I just off I just don't see how with lock out tools I would still be off ?

Post by **jimmy57** » 21 May 2012, 22:57

If you rotate it two crankshaft revolutions CW the grooves on back of cams should be horizontal as long as you do not rotate it backwards. The spring will be loaded in this situation.
If you are turning it backwards (CCW) then the spring unloads and it will be 15 degrees or so off.

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 21 May 2012, 23:38

I did it twice and did not rotate ccw I rotated twice cw and my exhaust mark is off. You think I'm not putting the hub far enough clockwise ( maye more than 1 1/2 teeth)? Have you ever seen or heard of te hub doing this? I can un bolt my exhaust gear itself after ivelined every thing up and rotated and I can turn it clockwise like it was never preloaded or do you loose tension after rotation? Thanks I'm dying to understand this thing

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 21 May 2012, 23:40

Each time I've done this I can start car and it acts fine until its under load or has boost introduced but tyro gets hot like timing is off and now that I see the horizontal groves I believe this to be an issue

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 May 2012, 07:13

You are doing something wrong.
GO back and read the reply where I gave full instructions.
The VVT unit is mounted 1 1/2 teeth to the LEFT of the mark, counterclockwise. The initial place will be 11 o'clock and when turned the mark goes to 12 o'clock when it stops.
Once belt is fitted and everything is finished if you turn engine CW it will be winding that internal spring the same way and when marks on cam gears align with belt top cover marks when you carefully bring crank mark in alignment with oil pump pointer line then check back of cams they must be horizontal.

lwilliam22 · Post by **lwilliam22** » 22 May 2012, 17:59

I really appreciate your help but I did the timing again (my exact procedure) I lock all lockout tools in install hub with gear bolt in middle of holes , put timing mark at about 1 1/2 teeth left of cover mark (no tension on hub internal spring) then preload the hub clockwise making sure gear marks will line up to cover marks. I do all this leaving tension on the hub and tighten everything up. I also tried moving my starting mark farther ccw but then when my hub is preloaded my marks are too far apart. SInce after revolutions and my rear grove will be off is something broke inside hub? It's a little wobbly but that might not be nothing

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 May 2012, 20:13

Since you are doing it correctly I think you must have a bad VVT unit.