Did a piston soak on the 18 Kia 2.4L this weekend
- Thread starter K20FA5
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dnewton3
Staff member
This, for one ...
MrBaumTastic said:
Just rotating an engine does not throw timing off. Anyone who suggests that is either completely ignorant of engine timing, or a BOT has misinterpreted/commingled info and regurgitated it for consumption by the unknowing. 4 cycle engines are timed one of three common ways; belts, chains, or gears. None of those would be thrown out of timing just by rotating the engine over in an otherwise healthy engine.
Again - I'm not saying you're at fault here. It's often hard to discern good from bad if you're not familiar with the topic materials.
Ok. I guess I got freaked out when I saw numerous (like dozens) of comments on one YouTube video I saw of how to "bar your engine" (turn over manually). The video was actually pretty good and nearly idiot proof, but between them asking about it and some alleging to have messed up their timing, I may have got a little anxious
I think the confusion might be caused by people turning the crankshaft while the timing belt or chain are disconnected from the cams. That would 100% throw your engine out of time, but that’s a timing belt and not the serpentine belt that runs that alternator and AC. I’m unaware of any engine that is timed by the serpentine belt.
When I soaked my Scion I just turned the key with the plugs out to rotate it. I would advise putting a towel over the valve cover to catch the liquid because it gets thrown out pretty vigorously, which I like. That towel had a whole lot of carbon chunks on it when I took it off.
With plugs out it should be pretty easy to turn the motor. On my Corolla and Sonata I was able to move with just my hand pushing/pulling on the serpentine belt with plugs out.
I would just make sure to turn in the same direction it normally does when running. Thinking of hydraulic type timing chain tensioners like on my Honda 2.4L and the TSB explaining turn one way to compress it and then the other to remove tension. Maybe that's why some people say it might throw it off.
I would just make sure to turn in the same direction it normally does when running. Thinking of hydraulic type timing chain tensioners like on my Honda 2.4L and the TSB explaining turn one way to compress it and then the other to remove tension. Maybe that's why some people say it might throw it off.
Ok people keep saying "turn in the same direction" well which is it? Clockwise or counter clockwise? Is that facing the front of the engine block or looking out? You know, as opposed to the front of/looking out of the hood.
Thank you for clearing that up. I definitely did not know that. Which I think proves my point that people are fallible at best and complete morons at worst. I don't know why someone who has a step by step video (clearly refers to removing the serpentine belt because the alternator and AC might lock up when hand cranked) ends up removing the wrong belt/chain and cranking on it and throwing off their timing. Lol
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