OPDA replacement: engine turned counterclockwise!

[Leungaok]

I just completed the OPDA replacement on my '05 TJ Rubicon, following almost the exact steps in this YouTube video

that I turned the engine crankshaft COUNTERCLOCKWISE when lining up the holes in the old OPDA! The counterclockwise turn took at least a full revolution on the 19mm nut (or about a quarter turn on the OPDA spinning wheel).

Now, the installed OPDA housing sits at 5 o’clock instead of 4. I haven’t touched anything after installation.

Is there anything I should check or adjust before starting the engine? Please help! I'm feeling paranoid and even lost some sleep over this!!

For reference, I used the locking plastic pin when removing the old OPDA and installing the new one.

A "before" picture showing the OEM OPDA housing position

After installation:

 

[TJ Jim]

I would suspect you installed it on the exhaust stroke and not the compression stroke.

 

[JKP]

It doesn't matter where the OPDA points as long as the engine is at TDC and the OPDA pinned when it was dropped in.

If you in fact turned the engine counterclockwise, you have slack in the timing chain and need to redo it. Always turn the engine clockwise as it takes the slack out of the chain in the direction that the engine runs.

 

[Leungaok]

What are the steps to redo it? Since I haven't touched anything after removing the plastic pin from the new OPDA housing, do I need to reinsert it? Then, do I turn the engine clockwise with the new OPDA installed?

Do you have any links or videos? Thanks guys!

 

[JKP]

If you had the old OPDA holes aligned when you took it out, and the new OPDA holes are still aligned, motor still at TDC, you are only off by the slack in in the chain.

Unpin the OPDA if you didn't, rotate engine clockwise twice until the timing marks on the pulley are aligned and see if the OPDA holes are off. If so, loosen OPDA hold down bolt and align.

 

[Leungaok]

If you had the old OPDA holes aligned when you took it out, and the new OPDA holes are still aligned, motor still at TDC, you are only off by the slack in in the chain.

Unpin the OPDA if you didn't, rotate engine clockwise twice until the timing marks on the pulley are aligned and see if the OPDA holes are off. If so, loosen OPDA hold down bolt and align.

Thanks! I'll look into this and give it a try. I'm new to Jeeps, and this gives me hope! Will report back.

 

[Leungaok]

If you had the old OPDA holes aligned when you took it out, and the new OPDA holes are still aligned, motor still at TDC, you are only off by the slack in in the chain.

Unpin the OPDA if you didn't, rotate engine clockwise twice until the timing marks on the pulley are aligned and see if the OPDA holes are off. If so, loosen OPDA hold down bolt and align.

Success! Thank you, thank you!! I followed your instructions: unpinned the OPDA, turned the engine clockwise until the holes in the OPDA lined up, put the pin back in, removed the OPDA housing, and even adjusted its direction to 4 o’clock! (I know that part isn’t important lol)

Took it for a spin—revved the engine above 3000 RPM with no issues! Scanned for CELs before and after the drive—no CELs!

Not so good news: My OEM CPS sensor seized and got pretty beat up when I tried to remove it. I also scratched the metal end of the sensor a bit with a screwdriver while trying to push it out from inside the housing. Any chance it’s still salvageable? I haven't tried the heat method.

 

[Leungaok]

Spoke too soon—just got code P0456 after a 20-mile drive! Not sure if it's related, but there were no codes before this maintenance. However, the battery was disconnected for an O2 sensor replacement, which has since been driven for 200 miles.

 

[JKP]

Tighten the gas cap.

 

[jjvw]

Spoke too soon—just got code P0456 after a 20-mile drive! Not sure if it's related, but there were no codes before this maintenance. However, the battery was disconnected for an O2 sensor replacement, which has since been driven for 200 miles.

When you unscrewed the engine, you caused a leak in the gas cap.

 

[Leungaok]

Wow, you guys are amazing! I'll tighten the gas cap as well!

 

[Leungaok]

So, I just replaced the cam sensor that came with the Crown OPDA with a Standard Motor Products sensor, but now I'm getting a P0016 code... Did I ruin the Jeep after replacing the OPDA? Lol

 

[hear]

That’s a cam/crank out of sync code, so you may have to run the relearn process, depending on your year. I don’t have one of those fancy TJs, so I can’t tell you how to do that. Search will be your best friend.

 

[JKP]

If you did't have a code with the Crown sensor...

 

[Leungaok]

If you did't have a code with the Crown sensor..

If you did't have a code with the Crown sensor...

Right. After driving 40 miles, I didn't have any codes with the Crown sensor except for P0456. One thing I forgot to mention is that I didn’t verify the pulley alignment when lining up the holes in the OPDA while rotating the engine clockwise because I wasn’t sure where to find the notch on the pulley (’05 TJ). Is it still possible that the OPDA wasn’t inserted at TDC? Should I redo the OPDA installation at TDC, or reinstall the Crown sensor and leave it as is if no codes?

 

[Leungaok]

That’s a cam/crank out of sync code, so you may have to run the relearn process, depending on your year. I don’t have one of those fancy TJs, so I can’t tell you how to do that. Search will be your best friend.

05 TJ Rubicon. Would disconnecting and reconnecting the battery initiate the relearn?

 

[hear]

05 TJ Rubicon. Would disconnecting and reconnecting the battery initiate the relearn?

if only.

 

[JKP]

Yes, it's possible you weren't exactly at TDC, but if it wasn't throwing a code, you were within the allowed tolerance.

You might have to remove the belt to see the notch easily.

Disconnect the battery to relearn the cam crank difference on 05 and 06 once it's not throwing the code.

It's also possible you moved the OPDA when you changed the sensor if the hold down bolt wasn't tight enough.

 

[Leungaok]

Interesting. I swapped them a few times, and the Crown sensor doesn’t trigger the P0016 code at engine startup, whereas the Standard Motor Products sensor consistently does! Does that mean the Standard sensor is bad, or is the one I got from Amazon faulty? Also, if the sensor's range is within tolerance, could it still cause slightly worse performance or lead to silent issues like limp mode?

I'm contemplating redoing the TDC procedure to make the Standard Motor Products sensor work, as I thought it was a better product. Or is this completely unnecessary?

 

[JKP]

Probably counterfeit.