Camshaft timing looks off by a tooth but engine ran fine
Camshaft timing marks can look misaligned or off by a single tooth depending on the visual angle and chain link placement, leaving mechanics unsure whether to leave the setup alone or adjust it. This uncertainty makes it difficult to confirm if the phaser placement and chain alignment are correct without clear, multi-angle reference photos.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1leaving the timing setup as-is since the engine ran fine previously
- 2treating the sprocket marks as general reference guides rather than absolute indicators
- 3Taking additional photos from better angles
- 4Using specialized cam holding tools before removing the chain
- 5Marking the links manually that line up with the cam phaser and crank marks
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“You need alot more pictures than this to confirm your timing is correct.”source ↗
“can't from that angle, but the dual colored link should match with the mark on the crankshaft, then each single colored link should match up with the marks on the cams.”source ↗
“There's also no way to see the timing mark on the crank...”source ↗
“I’m taking the chain off I guess I’m more worried about the phaser placement there where the colored link is currently”source ↗
“Yes thats where my confusion arised because mine looks off by a tooth based on that photo, but i was just also confused by the fact that the bike ran fine when it was like this.”source ↗
“Do you think I should just leave it or move it up a tooth?”source ↗
“I think my timing is correct can yall confirm timing is correct?”source ↗
Where this came up
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