Timing belt on tu5jp4 Citroen Xsara

[Vince998]

I'm currently putting together a TU5JP4 (1.6 16V) engine on a citroen xsara 2000 facelift and had a quick question regarding the timing setup to double-check my work.
Here is what I did:
1 Locked the two camshaft pulleys
2 Set the crankshaft so the mark on the crankshaft pulley is at 3 o'clock (With all cylinders at equal height mid stroke).
3 Aligned the 2 white lines on the new timing belt directly with the markings on the cam sprockets.But the 3rd white line which must be on the crank pulley does not match beacuse my pulley marking is at 3 a clock but the belt marking is at 6 o clock but if i move the crank so it matches the marking,cylinders 1 and 4 will be at tdc.
4 Tried to turn over the engine 2 times when my cams were locked and cylinders were equal level but since something was wrong after half a turn i thing a valve stopped me so i backed it up

My questions:
1 Crankshaft Position / TDC: I noticed some factory manuals and threads mention setting the pistons at equal height (90° / mid-stroke) for timing, while others use the 6 o'clock mark on the crank sprocket (TDC 1/4).Tell me do i try to match the 3rd marking making it times at tdc in 1 and 4 cylinder or do you think it wont work.
2.Anyone who is willing to help i will be very grateful

Ps. i couldnt find the hole in the flywheel which blocks the crankshaft thats why im doing it this way

[mickthemaverick]

You might find this particular video helpful:

[furriegurrie]

That’s a very good video on the location of the hole to pin the crankshaft. I’ve used the handle of a paintroller bent in the right shape in the past. Worked really well.

[Vince998]

Thanks for the fast replies,but have already watched the video and i found the hole(actually 2 holes) one a little bit lower and with a diameter of 2/3cm and the one i think he use in the video which is very small and couldt fit 5.5mm so couldn't use it and tried the lower one i had a very hard time finding a hole in the flywheel i would just feel the flywheel spinning anyway any idea if the engine hole would be when 1 and 4 cylinder are at tdc

[ozvtr]

I have found that there can be balancing holes drilled in the flywheel (or flexplate) at random spots around the periphery, which may fool you into believing that the flywheel is pinned in the correct position...but it's not! You've found a balancing hole.

The spec for the flywheel pin is 6mm, but the hole in the crank case tends to be slightly smaller.

The TU engines are timed with #1 and #4 @ TDC.

You will NEVER get the sprockets and timing belt to line up EXACTLY on a brand new belt! Well I haven't . Just find the closest match. Typically, one of the sprockets will appear to be out by 1/2 a tooth. Don't sweat it. So, you may need to release the pin on one of the camshaft sprockets to get the timing belt to fit between the two sprockets snugly. The belt will stretch slightly over its life.

[Vince998]

Will try right now thanks for the info.