ChaoticEntity@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello, I just changed the timing belt of a 97 civic dx hatch, we
> screwed up the timing the first time(crankshaft pully moved) adjusted
> it again and set the line on the pulley to the arrow on the block and
> the up arrow was set for the camshaft at the top. this was double
> checked to make sure it was accurate.

you need to check it again after the belt has been tensioned - the
symptoms say you're out.

>
> On reassembly valve clearences were adjusted to factory spec.
>
> I took a timing light to it and at ~2.5-3k rpm the timing lines up
> with the red mark on the pulley. The gas can be held and it'll keep
> running as long as the rpms are ~2k or higher, any lower and it stalls
> out. Went for a short drive, car is totally gutless till ~5-6k rpm and
> even then it's weak.

timing belt is set wrong. the cam gear is not just "up", but two marks
must align with the head surface.


>
> when we got everything back together and started the car the check
> engine light came on, jumped the ecu and got a 72 code (Misfire on
> cylinder #2)
>
>
>
> I'm thinking at this point that I must have made an error when the
> timing belt was put on and the timing is off there. If that's not the
> case then I have no idea why it's idle is so bad.
>
> I reset the ECU by pulling the battery connectors for a good 10min or
> so, next time it started the 72 code came back shortly.
>
>
> Any ideas how to get the car to idle correctly and what might be going
> on?
>

be logical - it worked before the belt change, it doesn't work after.
cam timing is the most likely error.