Hi guys,
I've got a 2000 Xterra that has been idling rough and just isn't real peppy when accelerating. Also, I can hear a rattle from the engine compartment when I punch it. I took it to the mechanic the other day and he asked if I had had the plugs and wires replaced, the timing belt changed, etc. Both yes(timing belt about 8mos ago).
After he took a look at it he told me that the timing belt was off a tooth and that the 'manual' tells you it should be set on one tooth but the manual is off by one tooth. He said he'd seen it before. He said the guy who did it before must not have known the book was off on the Xterra. I can't recall which manual he was referring to but, he showed me a bolt that was adjusted all the way north of the pressure groove that was left from the original placement of the bolt when the timing I assume was correct. It sounded like he knew what he was talking about, I just wonder has anyone else seen any issues with the repair manual being off a tooth on a timing belt change for the 2000 X? Is this a common occurrence? Also, the truck was new to me when I got it and had always driven this way. I just figured that was how Xterra's ran....

Any help would be appreciated...
Thanks!

BTW...I just figured out the manual was Alldata.

There are timing marks on the gears themselves. When you get a new timing belt, you line up the marks on the belt with the marks on the gears and it's done.

Hate to say it, but a monkey can change a timing belt. If the belt still has the marks on it, then take the thing off and start over! If not, spend $25 on a new belt and put it on right.

By the way, a timing belt being off a tooth won't cause a noise. A driveability issue yes, noise, no. If you took it in for a noise, have your tech keep looking. Probably an idler or a tensioner pulley.

Thanks for the reply Cyclemut. So basically this guy wants $350 to adjust the timing belt correctly. I'm good with brake pads and oil changes but the monkeys may have me on the timing belt. Still it sounds like if there are marks on the gears and on the belt how can you put it on wrong? Could it have slipped off a tooth somehow? Does that happen?

Only if the tension wasn't right on the belt. If that was the case, I could see the engine flopping around internally.

I charge $300 to do a timing belt job, with all the goodies. So if the $350 includes his diagnosis and he'll guarantee the fix, then it's a good deal. If not, then he's there already, just put the teeth right and verify it. If it's not right, he can re-diagnose it for the money you've already paid.