Timing belt issue?

[boost addict]

Ok, here we go. I drive an '88 ex-i that i got early this year, and ever since i bought it it had been knocking under load at lower rpms, getting progressively worse the hotter it was outside. I went to set the timing (unplugged both lines from the vacuum advance), retarded the distributor all the way and it still wasn't enough to get the base timing right. It got rid of about 90% of the knocking problem, but it still knocks under heavy load and now I feel a significant decrease in power all the way up the power band that wasn't there before.

From what i was told by the mechanic at my shop, the timing belt isn't properly aligned on the cam gear. Is that what it sounds like? I've also read about a trick repositioning the belt on the cam gear, but I couldn't find anything solid on it by searching.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[jasonrebellion]

i wouldn't think that outside temp would have anything to do with timing...unless you've got a temp sensor gone bad or a vacuum hose with a hole in it.....

[cygnus x-1]

If the engine is already prone to pinging for some reason, higher air temperatures can definitely make it worse. An improperly installed timing belt could cause this. Check the cam alignment by setting the crank at TDC and looking at the two marks on the outer edge of the cam pulley. The two marks will line up with the top surface of the head where the valve cover sits. There will also be an arrow on the pulley pointing directly up with respect to the vertical centerline of the engine (not directly vertical to the ground).

C|

[Demon1024]

The trick is that you dont have to take it all apart to reset it.

Set the crank at tdc at the flywheel.
Remove the valve cover as much as needed to take off the upper timing cover.
Loosen the idler pulley nut enough to let the pulley move a bit.
then you can slide to belt off and move the cam, just make sure to keep pressure on the belt to where it doesn't come off the bottom end anywhere.

Having someone to help make sure the mark doesnt move make this much easier.
rotate 3 cam teeth counterclockwise and tighten the idler pully.

[nswst8]

This is what the car sounded like after I change my timing belt. Check crank TDC against the cam.

[1987AccordLx-i]

Ok, here we go. I drive an '88 ex-i that i got early this year, and ever since i bought it it had been knocking under load at lower rpms, getting progressively worse the hotter it was outside. I went to set the timing (unplugged both lines from the vacuum advance), retarded the distributor all the way and it still wasn't enough to get the base timing right. It got rid of about 90% of the knocking problem, but it still knocks under heavy load and now I feel a significant decrease in power all the way up the power band that wasn't there before.

From what i was told by the mechanic at my shop, the timing belt isn't properly aligned on the cam gear. Is that what it sounds like? I've also read about a trick repositioning the belt on the cam gear, but I couldn't find anything solid on it by searching.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

check timing with a timing light.. if its off and you dont know how to do it. i can help if you live close to me

[nswst8]

Do you know when the timing belt was last changed. If not you need to visually inspect it. You don't need a timing light to chect the crank against the cam. That would be the first suggestion.