How to align the timing belt of Toyota Prado?
3 Answers
The alignment method for the timing belt of Toyota Prado is as follows: 1. Rotate the engine crankshaft to position the No. 1 cylinder piston at the top dead center and fix it; 2. Align the timing mark on the camshaft gear with the timing mark on the belt and fix it; 3. Install the crankshaft drive sprocket and ensure that the timing mark on the belt and the mark on the sprocket are in the same position; 4. Finally, ensure that the three timing marks on the timing belt correspond one-to-one with the two timing marks on the camshaft belt and one timing mark on the crankshaft belt. Toyota Prado is a high-end mid-size SUV under Toyota Motor Corporation, with front-engine drive, body dimensions of 4760mm, 1885mm, 1845mm, and a wheelbase of 2790mm.
When my old Prado reached 100,000 kilometers and needed a timing belt replacement, I chose to go to a professional repair shop. The mechanic said this job requires special tools for alignment: the crankshaft positioning pin must align with the oil pan mark, and the two dots on the camshaft gears need to be parallel and aligned with the cylinder head mark—missing any step is unacceptable. They first locked the crankshaft with a positioning pin, then secured the camshaft with a wrench to prevent shifting during belt installation. After fitting the belt, they manually turned the engine two revolutions to check the marks, and only confirmed it was correct before starting the engine. The whole process required three people working together—doing it alone risks misalignment, and if the valves hit the pistons, it would lead to a major overhaul. They recommend checking and replacing the belt at 100,000 kilometers, and even earlier for high-altitude driving.
I enjoy working on my own car, and changing the timing belt on my Prado was quite a challenge. First, I removed the engine cover and took photos to mark the positions, paying special attention to the original alignment points of the crankshaft and camshaft. The manual stated that the triangular notch on the crankshaft pulley should align with the oil pump mark, and the two dots on the camshaft gear must line up with the cylinder head. I started by fitting the new belt onto the crankshaft pulley, then onto the camshaft pulley, and finally securing the tensioner pulley. The most critical part was rotating the crankshaft two full turns after installation to recheck these alignment points—if it was off by even half a tooth, I had to redo everything. Throughout the process, I was careful not to drop anything into the engine. By the time I finished test-driving, my palms were drenched in sweat.
