replacing timing belt 2001 sebring 3.0 mits dohc

[dannerjr]

2001 sebring 3.0 mits dohc cannot get rear camshaft to line up with timing mark. feels like i'm pulling against a spring and it hits something before it reaches the mark about 2 belt notches trying to turn ccw but will not turn cw. What do I have to do to get the rear camshaft to move freely

[carriedi]

is your engine like the one in the picture? this is a 01 sebring 3.0 sohc timing belt diagram

[dannerjr]

yes, the timing mark for the rear cam (closes to the fire wall) is at about three oclock and will not rotate back to the timing mark

[carriedi]

do you know how the cam got so far out of position? You may not be able to move it into position because a valve is hitting a piston. This engine is supposedly an interference motor. If it feels like the cam stops because it is hitting something, it may well be. You would be better off taking the cam off and reposition then put it back on. but the damage may have already occurred.