2004 Tacoma 2.7 3rz fe Timing chain marks

Tacoma 2.7 3rz fe 4 cylinder with 230,000 miles on it.

I was hearing a ticking sound upon startup that would go away after it warmed up after about 30 seconds. I assumed it may be the timing chain and guides that needed to be changed. So I took the everything apart and here is what I found. It looks to me like the (old) chain is not properly aligned with the marks on the crankshaft or the cam sprocket.

I was curious if anyone was familiar with this engine and whether or not this may have cause damage to the valves if it somehow jumped on the sprocket.

Thanks in advance for any help or input.

TOP SPROCKET
BOTTOM SPROCKET
TIMING MARKS ON CAMSHAFT

 

Not sure on the 2.7 but when i did my 3.4 the dots were not lined up at first. I rotated the engine manually (a couple full revolutions) and everything lined up. From the pic it looks like both are off a tooth. Couldn't hurt to try and see if when your chain sprockets are lined up if the timing mark on the cam lines out too?

Someone with a 4cyl may have more experience with this ...

 

Thanks Poncate. I am in the process of replacing the chain and will make sure to have it TDC on cyl 1, cam marks on back aligned, top mark in between two marks on chain and finally the crank gear mark lined up with the one on the chain.

The guides appeared to be worn a bit where the chain travels on the plastic. I have had the truck since it was brand new and have taken fairly good care of it.

I got a little nervous when I was hearing the ticking sound on startup and figured it might be time to replace the timing chain before it failed or caused failure. I have read mixed things about the engine being interference or non interference, although I believe it may be non interference.

 

Sounds like you're doing it right! I tell ya the piece of mind having all new is worth it. good luck

 

Yes the 3rz fe 2.7 is in fact an interference engine

 

Does anybody know if I can pull the cam gear and chain ..leave the cams alone and rotate the crank 180 degrees to get it timed riye thanks willeebow

 

Hey Yaco hows it going I've got a 01 kingcab I traded for he thought it was DOAbecause he got the timing off 180 do you know if I can leave the cams alone witch but the way are timed rite two dots to one dot but the crank is 180 out can I pull the gear an chain loose and rotate the crank 180 or do I need to pull the cams to prevent valve damage it is an interference mpter

 

It will run like crap if it jumped a tooth.

 

As far as I know the marking on the chain are not important, but the timing marks on both sprockets are. If not, then there will be a loud noise and after that the engine will be gone (interference engine).
As for the ticking on startup make sure the chain tensioner works correctly. The spring in tensioner keeps the chain tensioned only when cranking, after the engine starts the oil pressure takes over.

 

I don't have a 4 cylinder so I don't know about your engine . But my experience with the 3.4 v6 was that the marks on the cam and belt were for when it was first installed . after rotating the crank several times the marks were off and I was worried then I thought about it for a while and realized it was normal. As far as jumping a tooth, I don't think that happened. Was it running ok before you took the covers off?

 

Thanks for the replies. I did find that everything was fine and the chain was not off at all. When you install it initially you want them to match up with the center line on the camshaft and the small dot that is on the crankshaft when it is at top dead center.