hhrrat

2007 HHR 2.2 L61

I decided to change my timing chain and sprockets. Yesterday, I turned the crankshaft until cylinder 1 (near accessory belt) was at TDC. However, my exhaust triangle is at 2 o'clock and intake diamond is at 10 o'clock.

To make matters worse, today thinking that yesterday I had already set the intake diamond at 2 o'clock, I proceeded to remove the chain only to realize the exhaust and intake marks are on the opposite side of where they should be.

My question, how can I put the sprocket markings where they need to be since I have already taken the chain out?
Do I have to remove the head cylinder?


Then I came across this thread where the guy had the same problem but used the TDC on cylinder 4 (near tranny) instead of cylinder 1

Replacing Timing Chain, Could Use Some Help

Thank you in advance for your help.

donbrew

Just a thought. If the cylinder is at TDC, couldn't you just turn the cams? Would that mess the counter shaft up?

hhrrat

I think if I turn the camshafts by themselves, cylinder 1 would collide with valves since the valve would start moving down, and since the piston is still at the top of the cylinder, they would kiss each other.

I wounder if I could install the old chain and spin it twice to achieve the right timing marks locations.

Or pull the heads out and spin the cams until all the valves in cylinder one are closed.

firemangeorge

Put the old chain back on and rotate until the timing marks are correctly aligned.
And remember to never rotate backwards. Damage will result.
Pulling the head would be the hard way of doing things.

Fwiw. Sounds like maybe you stopped TDC on the exhaust stroke. Pretty sure the specs call for stopping on the intake stroke when aligning timing marks.

hhrrat

I will put the old chain back in. Timing is supposed to be done in compression stroke.

Thank you