Timing belt crankshaft/oilpump sprocket not lining up?

[spiderhoon]

went into my timing case on my 1994 subaru legacy to change the timing belt, and when rotating the crankshaft sprocket the oil pump mark would never line up with the camshaft marks! no matter how many times i rotated it the oilpump mark would never be at 12 o'clock with the camshafts as if it were off by factory. is the oil pump mark crutial, or does it not matter if it lines up with the camshaft gears? as in should i only worry about the camshaft marks?

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

The timing marks on the pullies/gear only need to line up with their corresponding marks on the engine. It is very common that people mistakenly use the mark on the front of the crank gear vs. the proper mark on the back of the crank gear.

In case you don't have it, here are the scans from the factory service manual for the timing belt job.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt2.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt3.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt4.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt5.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt6.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt7.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt8.jpg

Also, here are some pictures of an old timing belt job that may be helpful.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... imingbelt/

[macipusy]

I think the arrow is for the TDC position...is that correct Josh?

[Legacy777]

I've heard that it is, but can't confirm or deny it.

[spiderhoon]

alright so there is other indicators other than the yellow arrow on the front of the oil pump sprocket? also some bad news... i already installed the timing belt about a week and a half ago with the oil pump not on the mark. will this cause problems? she runs and idles fine at the moment.

[mike-tracy]

Car is not an interference model, unlike subaru's newer engines. You'll be OK but best to fix the timing asap.

[spiderhoon]

so that would explain the moderate drop of power and gas milage :I... ill get in there asap, thank you!!!

[macipusy]

I'm surprised it runs at all.

The correct mark is on the back flange of the pulley, not on the front....it's a little line and not an arrow.

I bet you are six or more teeth off if you installed it on the arrow.

[spiderhoon]

no i didnt really focus on the arrow cause it never lined up, i just made sure the valves were aligned properly and then i installed the belt.

[Legacy777]

You need to make sure the alignment marks for the timing belt line up properly.

[spiderhoon]

ima jump in there tomorrow after school, ill keep you guys updated!

[spiderhoon]

alright its all back together with proper alignement, she's running like a champ and i appreciate the manual scans josh those were very very helpful. i do have a question, in the manual it mentioned something about valve lash adjustment... can you clarify exactly what this means and how necessary this really is? heres the scan:

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _belt8.jpg

[Legacy777]

Basically what that is saying is to check that the valve lifters don't have air in them. I have NEVER done that after a timing belt change and don't really think it's necessary. If you had air in the lifters, you would know.....they'd make noise. If you don't hear any noise, then they don't have any air in them and you can ignore that note.