I am having a heck of a time with my timing belt and exhaust VVT replacement. I thought I did everything right, had the cams locked, everything was lined up perfect, started it and it ran bad. Had very little power and the engine was sputtering. Shut it off, checked the codes and the exhaust cam position sensor was flagged. Ok, took everything apart again and the intake cam was off a tooth or 2. Lined it all back up again, wouldn't start. Checked codes and both intake and exhaust cam positions flagged. Looked at the crankshaft and it's too far forward by about 2 teeth. Belt off, lined up perfect, rotate engine and still the crankshaft is off. What the heck am I doing wrong??

 

I had an issue as well, I don't know if it was the same. I ended up sending it in to a shop, and paid $$ to get it fixed. After they accepted the job, they told me they ended up removing the Cams to get them recenter. (if I remember the story right) At that point I thought they had jacked up the $$, which they didn't. I didn't think I was off when I put in together, but it sat for so long, that the rear brakes had frozen, then after that, I worked it hard to unfreeze em,(attempted to drive past the issue, didn't work) I had a rebuild post, that went into various issues during my re-constitution of this vehicle.

Of coarse I was worried about the failed PCV system, and if there was any damage to the cam gaskets/rear main seal. I dont' know if they did have to replace the cam seal or not, I guess there was no symptom on the timing belt side to tell me it needed to be done.