When I was getting my stuff yesterday I was talking to the owner of the shop, who is also a volvo enthusiast, and I told him about my poor compression on all cylinders. He said that it's possible that the timing may be off, could that be? Last time my dad did the timing belt he said the original marks did not line up, but instead there were marks from someone else that did line up and those are the ones he used. Is it possible that somewhere along the line the timing could have jumped a bit and causing my poor compression numbers on each cylinder? And if it is off, is there a way to line the timing back up?

 

First find the OEM marks and line them up as close as you can to where they should be.
Then see what it looks likes from there.

 

My dad tried to line those up and he said that they wouldn't line up.

 

If the factory ones would not then it is out of time.

 

Waaahhhhhhaaaaayayyyy. (crying) Can I make like a watch and turn it back into time some how?

 

Yes you have to get the Oem marks lined up properly.

 

so, just like sit there and turn them until they line up?

 

Well try to get the crank lined up first and see how much the OEM marks are off.

 

If the engine is running, chances are that the timing is not too hideously off.

Try correcting the problem by yourself. First, highlight the camshaft timing marks with corrections fluid (they are hairline), and align them with the corner notches on the upper timing belt cover. Haynes' manual would help down the road.

Then, locate another tiny valley on the crank pulley and again highlight it. In my case, however, there was a large botch on the crank pulley. Not sure if it was there from the factory (I believe it was) or someone added it. Align the crank pulley at TDC (someone correct me if it needed to be a few degrees advanced/retarded).

The toughest part is the installation of the hydraulic belt tensioner. Again, Haynes manual has a good instruction. You have to compress the tensioner in a large (wider than 7") bench vise VERY slowly. Or, you can decide to buy a new tensioner (about $120 at FCP Groton, but worth the money if it has never been replaced).

Anyone else got better alternatives?


JPN

 

Aw man, this doesn't sound like fun at all. Next time I'm home for the weekend me and my dada will have to give it a shot.