Timing Chain/Cam Issues (2012 CX-9 3.7L)

My 2012 CX-9’s 3.7L water pump went out, and while following the John fixes anything series. I had locked my cams using wrenches but the R1 side did not hold, causing the R1 to rotate an unknown amount of times as I was trying to loosen the harmonic balancer bolt and the timing got messed up on the right bank. Initially when I was attempting to take off the harmonic balancer bolt, my R1 camshaft rotated an unknown number of times. I tried to reset as best I could when I saw it, but when it got reassembled it threw the code for that position. Also would not stay running. When I broke everything back down my main chain was still in the correct position but all 4 cams were flipped 180 with the alignment marks facing down.
Like an inexperienced mechanic, I figured if the main chain was set all I had to do was to remove the cams and flip them back into position. My left side went in and set right, but both right side are not setting in. Any advice to keep me from breaking the valves? I have searched to see if anyone else did this and I think I get the gold star for stubborn bonehead moves.

Information:
-the engine is at TDC, and r1 cam is extended in the up position.

Any assistance would be appreciated!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1609.webp
    IMG_1609.webp
    87.4 KB · Views: 128
  • IMG_1610.webp
    IMG_1610.webp
    87.7 KB · Views: 102
  • IMG_1612.webp
    IMG_1612.webp
    59.4 KB · Views: 102
  • IMG_1611.webp
    IMG_1611.webp
    65 KB · Views: 117
  • IMG_1609.webp
    IMG_1609.webp
    87.4 KB · Views: 102
I had a similar circumstance with the failure of my water pump causing the right-bank cam to go out of alignment by a quarter rotation on my 3.5.

@TooEz How did you make out with re-aligning your cam to set your timing?
 
Upvote 0
I had a similar circumstance with the failure of my water pump causing the right-bank cam to go out of alignment by a quarter rotation on my 3.5.

@TooEz How did you make out with re-aligning your cam to set your timing?
@Darbonian, the first step was determining if I was out of position from the top dead center. After realizing I needed help; my uncle got a free weekend and came to help (retired mechanic). The CX-9 has an interrupter/interference engine, so I dodged a bullet and no valves were bent. All to do was reseat the cams based on TDC, this involved a lot of finessing but finally got it all put together. JohnCanFixAnything and Auto Repair Guys on Youtube was the only way I got through the process.
 
Upvote 0

New Threads and Articles

Back