I just changed the head gasket in my 2010 Prius and while I was putting it back together I unlocked the cams before I put the timing chain back on. When I did put it back on it was out of time. I lined up all the marks on the sprockets with the ones on the chain and put it back together. Once I had it lined up I didn’t spin the engine because every time I did that it caused the chain to slip and it would go out of time again. Now I suspect it is out of time because it seems to run fine at idle and a little bit of throttle. When I step on it on the road it starts to miss and run rough and starts smoking. Code says cylinder 2 misfire. I don’t really look forward to taking off the timing chain cover again but I guess I don’t have much choice at this point. I just wanted to know if these symptoms sound like a timing issue to anybody here or if it is probably something else.
If you didn’t release the tensioner when you put it back together, then there is a good likelihood the engine is out of time. But the fact that it starts and runs says it’s not too far out. But you need to double check it. When I put mine back together, I rotated the engine until the marked links came back to the starting positions. You are asking to get burned if you don’t watch the marks. The interference nature of the engine makes this necessary. And take it from me, this is a lot easier to do if you take the spark plugs out first. LoL
Just curious: gleaned from watching the GasketMaster videos: the tensioner's like a little cigarette lighter shaped thing, with a piston, that compresses, and a little hook you swing around to latch it, keep it compressed. If it's not to difficult to explain via text, how do you release it? Was there a little window for access??
When latched, if you press the movable guide against the plunger, it will compress enough for the latch to open. It took my third reassembly for me to realize it was that simple. LoL
