How to adjust the timing belt?

I was reading on a website that the sprocket things the belt goes on has marks to line it, as well as the engine to line it up correctly. IS THIS TRUE? Also just wondering any mechanics out there that have replaced a timing belt/chain. HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT? The car runs, but won't idle on its own. Thanks in advancedHow to adjust the timing belt?Yes it's true. I have replace many timing belts/chains. Given your understanding of vehicles I would not recommend you doing it yourself. Not trying to be mean but you would most definitely disable your car and a mechanic would charge you more to fix it.

If the car runs what else is it doing other than not idling?How to adjust the timing belt?um unless timing belt is stretch or has skipped a tooth then that is NOT ur problem..........as for changing belt and how hard it is u STILL HAVE NOT POSTED .....YEAR/MAKE/MODEL....and without it we still CANNOT help u......



and yes the timing marks have to line up.......



buy a haynes manual on ur car will give u step-by-step on how to do it....and will tell u if u need special tools or to do special things.....like u can fu@k up ur trans on Chrysler's if u don't realign the mounts after ur done...How to adjust the timing belt?I don't know about the cars of today, but older cars had a mark on the top and bottom sprockets and a mark on the engine and when putting the belt (chain) on, the sprockets had to line up with the mark. This was so that the crankshaft sprocket was lined up with the camshaft sprocket when you put the belt or chain on. (One is above the other).



If your car was out of time, such as slipped timing chain, it probably wouldn't run. Or not run well at all, sometimes backfiring and missing.



Your problem could be in the idle system or the throttle valve needs adjusting.



Besides, in order to adjust the timeing belt, you would need to take the car apart, meaning radiator, fan, water pump, air condition, alternator,and so on, and possibly the grill in order to get to it. Not an easy job for an experienced mechanic.



I would check out your fuel system, and see if it needs attention. If you think your car could be a little out of time, like maybe the distributor needs to be moved a bit, a mechanic can do that easily, using a timeing light and setting the timing according to the books. But that is different then adjusting the timeing BELT. All a mechanic has to do is line up a line on the crankshaft pulley, on the outside of the engine, and line it up with a timing mark on the engine, using a timing light.



ADDED: I didn't see until later that it was a 79 Camero, and I think they had carburetors, not fuel injection. But the carb could be in need of a tune up, and adjusting of the air/fuel mixture.

And again, if the distributor is out of time a bit, that can be easily fixed, with a timing light. You might check your spark lugs and wires also.