1998 Volvo S70 Non-Turbo, 173k miles. Retime cams

volvojosh · Post by **volvojosh** » 24 Aug 2013, 18:39

I replaced the camshaft seal on my 1998 Volvo S70 non-turbo but I think the timing on the cams is off. I marked the gears with whiteout but it came off. There are no factory markings on the gears like I have seen on YouTube and other forums. Is there another way to line up the camshafts/gears and time the engine?

After I assumed it was correctly lined up I tried to start the engine but it just makes a cranking noise and doesn't start. I know for sure that when I removed the cam gear to replace the seal I turned one of the camshafts over by accident but turned it back before I reinstalled the t-belt.

I am not sure if it's a timing issue or maybe the belt is too tight. Just wanted to clarify that because I have no clue what's wrong now that I have dismantled it. I am not a mechanic but rather trying to save myself hundreds of dollars because I am unemployed

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Aug 2013, 19:39

That is odd that you don't have the marks on the sprockets, we've had a couple of other members that have said the same thing so I guess you aren't the first. If you have lost all reference on the cams then you need to crank the engine back around to the mark(s) on the crankshaft and then remove the cam position sensor and the distributor to line up the slots on the back of the camshafts with the seam between the cam cover and the head.

The belt that doesn't seem to fit correctly is a cause of concern as well. Make real sure that the tensioner roller casting isn't bound up on the face of the block and that it pivots smoothly around its mounting bolt.

...Lee

volvojosh · Post by **volvojosh** » 24 Aug 2013, 19:53

Do I need to remove the timing belt first? Does the crankshaft have to be aligned with the cams because there are no markings anywhere to align it with?

I am new to this, so I don't know anything about this.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Aug 2013, 20:16

Leave the belt on until you have the crankshaft lined up. What you don't want to do is have the camshafts and the crankshaft moving independent of each other until you get things roughed in.

Ask questions and post pictures if you get stuck, we'll get you through it.

...Lee

Post by **Pauloil** » 25 Aug 2013, 06:22

volvojosh wrote:Do I need to remove the timing belt first? Does the crankshaft have to be aligned with the cams because there are no markings anywhere to align it with?

I am new to this, so I don't know anything about this.

use a small light to create a shadow to help see the mark on the face of the oil pump to left of center. there are a lot of pictures herein of what marks to look for on the crank pulley
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=27078

volvojosh · Post by **volvojosh** » 25 Aug 2013, 10:07

Thanks, very helpful. I am going to work on my car later today, I'll post the outcome shortly.

volvojosh · Post by **volvojosh** » 25 Aug 2013, 15:49

I found the marks on the cams and crankshaft. However, there all out of alignment according to your postings. Can I move these independently without damaging the motor?

Post by **Pauloil** » 25 Aug 2013, 16:26

volvojosh wrote:I found the marks on the cams and crankshaft. However, there all out of alignment according to your postings. Can I move these independently without damaging the motor?

I'm glad to hear you did not hear metal on metal when you cranked it. I would suggest reading and studying how to do the t.b. and also how to line up the cams using the marks on the back on them, all you will find on this site. like Lee said, leave the belt on and move crank to its mark, then go to the other side of the motor and look at the cams there. one is just below the CPS

volvojosh · Post by **volvojosh** » 25 Aug 2013, 19:19

Okay....I found the marks on the cams and lined them up with the markings on the TB cover. After aligning it, and installing the TB, the car wont start. It just makes a cranking noise but will not start. Please tell me where I might have failed.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Aug 2013, 21:34

Check for fuel pressure at the Schrader valve on the end of the fuel rail and check for spark. You can even use an old tire gauge to check fuel pressure, it won't be dead on accurate but it should be around 43 PSI. Wear safety glasses or something so that you don't get gasoline in your eyes.

To check for spark take a spark plug out and set it on the top of the engine, the metal threads of the spark plug should be in contact with the engine. Look for spark as the engine cranks over.

...Lee