Timing belt wobble?

1998 FORD RANGER
100,000 MILES • 2.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
ARIANADANIELLE5345
  • MEMBER
  • 393 POSTS
Replaced timing belt, timing tensioner, power steering pump, power steering pulley, water pump, serpentine belt, serpentine belt tensioner, but belt is walking and it sounds like a bearing is wobbling on timing belt. All of the pulleys on timing belt are straight but belt is moving. I think the tension is correct, but i don’t know what else this could be.
Apr 19, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
ARIANADANIELLE5345
  • MEMBER
  • 393 POSTS
Here is video
Apr 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
This looks normal to me, the timing belt will walk a little when running, did you replace the timing belt tensioner, if not this can be causing this condition. Thank for the video it helps. Hope things are going well.
Apr 20, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
ARIANADANIELLE5345
  • MEMBER
  • 393 POSTS
I did replace it, but maybe I’ll warranty it and see if it was just a defective part
Apr 20, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Like I say this can be normal, if you have the new tensioner on there I would leave it.
Apr 21, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Avatar
ARIANADANIELLE5345
  • MEMBER
  • 393 POSTS
It was definitely the tensioner. It was new but i mustve messed it up on install cuz I warrantied it and put the other new one on and the noise is gone completely. Only thing now is it’s like a tooth off for timing. I don’t have the plastic inner cover so I’m not 100% sure of the timing marks. Is there anyway to know without the back cover? Like marks on the actual block or anything?
Apr 21, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Nice work!, here is the marks for the timing belt without the cover. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.
Apr 22, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Avatar
ARIANADANIELLE5345
  • MEMBER
  • 393 POSTS
But in that image the plastic inner cover is there. I don’t have that part. That’s the part that has the corresponding diamonds on it. I’ll circle the cover in purple and the diamonds in yellow. This is the part I don’t have
Apr 22, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Hmmm, bummer, you kind of need that to line up the timing marks, you are going to need to estimate the timing marks position according to the diagram, the only other way is to remove the valve cover and #1 spark plug. Bring the #1 piston to TDC and then split the camshaft lobes on #4 cylinder which is the related cylinder, (intake valve open and exhaust valve open the same amount) at this point the engine is in time. Let me know how it goes.
Apr 23, 2026 at 7:40 AM