I'm an idiot

Gwiz3879 · Post by **Gwiz3879** » 27 Apr 2016, 15:35

Okay so I'm an idiot I haven't done a timing belt in nearly 10 yrs and when my water pump on my 850 glt blew I never set the timing marks. I realized the timing belt was very damaged so I decided to remove it now the water pump is out the damper pulley is off and I've basically screwed myself b/c to get the damper off I had to spin the crank out of position any advice on putting it back to the correct position or is this serious enough that I need an actual Volvo dealership look at it

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 27 Apr 2016, 16:16

Well, if I'm not mistaken (and someone who's actually done it, please chime in), you can align the camshafts from the rear of the engine. The grooves should be level, with the intake camshaft groove offset above the seam, and the exhaust shaft groove offset below the seam. That should ensure correct camshaft alignment.

- S

Post by **erikv11** » 27 Apr 2016, 17:12

No, *I'm* an idiot!

So it sounds like the cams and the crank are out of sync now? (No idiot would know enough to figure that out, by the way!) I can think of two ways to get the engine back in time, the dealer would do one of these:

(1) Pull the top cover over the cams. Then all of the valves pop up into the head and you are safe to rotate the crank by hand until it is on the mark. Then set the cams like Sommerfeldt describes, reseal the cam cover and re-torque it and you are good to go.

(2) Get it back in place by fiddle and feel. You need to start rotating the crank by hand, to get it on the mark. Whenever you feel some resistance from the valves, you need to fiddle with the cams until you can get the crank moving again. You're not going to bend valves by hand, this will work if you are careful and patient. Once the crank is on the mark, you are free to move the cams at will so set them like Sommerfeldt describes.

For either one of these there are some more details to pay attention to, if you are going to do one of these then read this section of the head gasket tutorials.

Post by **misha** » 27 Apr 2016, 18:15

Since you have only those two options....i would go for option 2.

Post by **rspi** » 28 Apr 2016, 02:06

Did the engine jump time or was the water pump leaking. If leaking, have fun if it jumped time, you are wasting it.

jantt · Post by **jantt** » 28 Apr 2016, 08:07

Here is how I did it on my 1992 GLT. My marks on camshafts was way of.

Set the mark on the crankshaft.
Aline the two camshafts with the speciel tool in the back so they are locked (remember to losen the two camshaftwheels).
Take the sparkplug out of cyl 1 and see that the piston is almost on top.
Mount belt and other parts and fasten all bolts.
Rotate the crankshaft two full turns by hand.
If no resistance then you should be able to start the engine.
It worked for me.
Marks on the camshafts are not alined, but engine runs like a dream.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 28 Apr 2016, 08:41

This is not as difficult as you would think it should be.

First and foremost, get your crankshaft lined up on Top Dead Center. You do that by turning it and lining up the marked groove.

Second, line up your camshaft gears with the timing marks on the plastic cover. This too is relatively easy.

Install belt (it will be tight) and adjust tensioner.

There are a lot of good videos to help you with this. Look up Robert DIY on YouTube. He's good.

jantt · Post by **jantt** » 28 Apr 2016, 08:49

Be aware that the marks on camshaft gears are not always right. That is why it is best if you can to aline camshafts in the back.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 28 Apr 2016, 09:59

jantt wrote:Be aware that the marks on camshaft gears are not always right. That is why it is best if you can to aline camshafts in the back.

I'm sure that's entirely possible, but I've never found any marks that were off.

jantt · Post by **jantt** » 28 Apr 2016, 10:07

Mine was. Don`t know if any former owner have had the gears of and not put them right on.
If I had used the marks it would have been wrong.