Can I time the engine without taking the bottom pulley off?? If so is the middle mark on the pulley TDC? (1994 Honda Civic DX 1.5liter single overhead cam)

the crank pulley itself wont.. the pulley actually bolts on to the end of the crank.. behind that pulley is where the mark is..there is also a mark on the cam sprocket under that cover..if you turned it by hand where was the rotor pointed when the cap was removed?..if the belt slipped it could be out enough to backfire thru the in take..

On the Cam gear are three marks. On the face of the gear it should say "up", then you have three marks one at 3 o'clock one at 7 o'clock one at 9 o'clock. the one at 7 should align up with a mark on the block. Some have a raised semicircle and you line up the 7 o'clock mark on the cam with the far left hand end of that semicircle. Now on the crack end you have a mark at the 2 o'clock position and it lines up with a mark on the block. Do not turn the crank or the cam independent of one another, as the valves can be bent. Remove the spark plugs to ease turning the engine when needed. The engine will turn counterclockwise. Remove all necessary left hand front wheel, inner fender splash guard, covers, top engine mount. turn the engine until number 1 cyl. is at TDC compression stroke, and all timing marks align as noted. Remove the lower crankshaft bolt and pulley, and lower belt cover. Loosen tensioner bolt and push it out of your way and remove the belt. Put on the new timing belt in this order, crank sprocket, cam sprocket, water pump sprocket, tensioner. Belt must be tight on no tensioner side. Push the tensioner against the belt. Turn the engine 4 turns counterclockwise, until the timing marks realign, loosen the tensioner and turn the engine again 3 teeth, torque the tensioner to 30 flbs. reinstall all the mounts and covers. all should be good.

I have pasted the instructions from autozone.com below, but I never recommend this chore for a novice. If the valve timing is not right, it can ruin your engine. If you have not done this before, I recommend you at least have a mechanic look at the belt before you close up the timing cover.


Removal & Installation

1.7L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Note the radio security code and the radio presets. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Rotate the crankshaft to set the engine at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the compression stroke for the No. 1 piston. The white mark on the crankshaft pulley should align with the pointers on the timing cover. Once the engine is in this position, it must not be disturbed.
4. Raise and support the vehicle safely. Remove the front tires. Remove the splash shield. Lower the vehicle.
5. Remove the power steering pump and position it to the side without disconnecting the hoses. Remove the alternator.
6. Remove the ignition coil cover. Remove the four ignition coils. Remove the throttle cable clamps and harness holder mounting bolts. Remove the cylinder head cover. Remove the crankshaft pulley.
7. Properly support the engine using a block of wood under the oil pan. Remove the upper bracket.
8. Remove the grommet from the upper cover. Disconnect the camshaft position (CMP) top dead center (TDC) sensor connector.
9. Remove the side engine mount bracket.
10. Remove the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor from the oil pump, without disconnecting the connector.
11. Apply slight force to the timing belt at the midpoint between the camshaft pulley and the water pump pulley and check that the auto tensioner moves smoothly, if not replace it.
12. Move the auto tensioner to remove tension from the timing belt. Remove the timing belt.

To install:

Fig. TDC alignment mark locations for the crankshaft sprocket-1.7L engine

Fig. Timing belt sprocket TDC mark positioning for timing belt installation-1.7L engine

1. Set the crankshaft to TDC. Align the TDC mark on the timing belt drive pulley with the pointer on the oil pump.
2. Set the camshaft to TDC. The UP mark on the camshaft pulley should be at the top. Align the TDC marks on the camshaft pulley with the top edge of the cylinder head.
3. Install the timing belt in a counterclockwise sequence, starting with the drive pulley.
4. As required, replace the auto tensioner assembly.
5. Continue the installation in the reverse order of the removal procedure.
6. Reprogram the ECM/PCM engine idle characteristics. Be sure all electrical items are OFF.
7. Start the engine. Hold the idle speed at 3000 RPM-s in park or neutral until the radiator fan comes on or the temperature reached 194 degrees.
8. Let the engine idle for about five minutes with the throttle fully closed.
9. If the radiator fan comes on during the five minutes, do not count this toward the five minute programming time.
10. Set the clock.

the crank has a mark for TDC. (white) and the cam gear should have UP marked on it. You want the UP mark UP at the 12 oclock position.(as you are looking at the top pulley) there will be marks at the 3 and 9 oclock positions and these marks line up the the flat portion of the head that the valve cover sits on. While its apart ......replace the timing belt, and replace the pulley, and replace the cam and crank shaft seals, adjust the valves.

This was listed under the 1994 Honda Civic by the Asker for a 1992 Honda Civic
Click on the following free direct Link. It has the Timing: Belt and Mark Diagrams for your 1992 Honda Civic. Plus additional Instructional and Directional Diagrams.

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!
http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1992/make/honda/model/civic/1992_honda_civic_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

Check the position of the timing marks. The timing pointer mustbe perfectly aligned with the TDC (white mark) on the flywheel orflex-plate; the camshaft pulley must be aligned so that the word UP isat the top of the pulley and the marks on the edge of the pulley arealigned with the surfaces of the head. Additionally, the face of thefront timing balancer pulley has a mark which must be aligned with thenotch on the oil pump body. This pulley is the one to the left crankwhen viewed from the pulley end.

Also, in here, 1994-Honda-Accord-Coupe-Section-01-Engine (page 47 and next / TDC marks) you can find referenece information about Accord Engine.

If you need more details, visit autozone.com (free register) and select your model vehicle.

I hope help you (remember rated this help) Good luck.

There are 4 marks on the crank pulley. When standing on the driver side of the car looking down on the pulley, the mark farthest to the right is the mark for TDC (Top Dead Center). The three marks on the left are for the spark timing. Of these three the mark in the center should align with the arrows/triangles on the timing belt cover when the engine is running and a timing light is shining on the crank pulley. The outer two marks represent Honda's tolerances for the ignition timing. As you look at the cam pulley the correct mark is at 7 o'clock with the two other marks at 3 & 9 o'clock positions. make sure you have correc timing, honda have "O" tolerance when it come to piston and the valves meets. or stop by any auto part store they should have Hane's auto repair manuel for 20.00 buck, worth all the money with proper instruction including picture, great investment to have for the future repair. spend little money to make sure you do the right job. good luck!!

put the crank at TDC and the cam gear and TDC slip the belt on adjust the tensioner and then rotate the engine two times make sure the timing marks are still lined up then put it back together and try it if you have the timing off it wont idle right and if could also be the throttle positioning sensor

timing will out use a ruler to align the the 4 marks on the sprocets if its a dohc, be sure its on T.D.C

the red mark is where the timing is supposed to be after u have bypassed the electronic advance.the first white line on the left is tdc.
thanks for useing fixya