FYI notes, went to install new timing chain. Put engine at TDC compression stroke #1 cylinder YES air blew out spark plug hole. PROBLEM. Timing mark on exhaust cam said int, timing mark on intake came said ex. Called some people they all said cam gears were swapped at one time. I removed gears and swapped. The gears are keyed in such a way they only go on one way. And it's not 180 degrees it's like 120. Put gears on turned each cam separately so ex cam gear showed ex and intake cam mark said in. Timing Mark's st 10 and 2. Put chain on turned by hand real easy. NO interference. Turned by hand fast checked for TDC compression on #1 Back where I started. Exhaust cam says in, intake cam says ex at the 10 and 2 position. Call a mobile mechanic that works at a repair shop. He said the colored links on new chain are a guide and dont have to be lined up with Mark's on cam gears. So he puts colored link on ex cam that says in and colored link on intake cam that says ex. I pointed out that intake valve on #1 piston didn't open till piston was more than half way down its travel. So take chain off move intake came a few teeth. Put it ALL back together, it starts and runs bad cel light comes on, codes for map and fuel too rich. I send "mechanic" home. Did a quick compression test on all four cyc, pressure low. Took it all apart set #4 piston to TDC on compression. Lined up all timing marks, colored links on chain, crankshaft key at 1 dot at 5. Put it all back for about the 7th time. Fired right up purr like a kitten, fault codes went away. Can you explain why #4 cyc had to be TDC when every car I've ever worked on you always put #1 at TDC compression. Note if #1 piston is TDC there are 19 links between timing Mark's. If #4 piston is TDC compression there are 16 links. If you count the colored link to the next colored link you get 16, I KNOW #1 and #4 pistons travel up and down at same time. When one is at compression other is at exhaust.

 

Maybe you got your 1s and 4s mixed up, or your comp / ex. mixed up... Just joking, congrats on getting your car running. A factory manual might clear up some of the mystery.

 

I did use the book, verified book said #1 cyc was close to pulleys, book said bring #1 to TDC compression, I did. I assume ex cam is over ex manifold and intake is over intake manifold. At this point timing mark on ex cam read in, int cam read ex. I had 2 mobile mechanics come to house. Neither one could get car to run. Oh well I got it running just wanted people to see my fiasco.

 

For clarification, what components have you replaced? I was getting kind of lost trying to re-read the thread, so is there anything in this list that hasn’t been replaced, or anything not mentioned?

Timing chains, guides and tensioners
Crankshaft and idler sprockets
All 4 phasers/actuators