CE Lancer timing issue

[ThaHarvester]

Hey everyone,
I replaced my timing belt a few months ago, and it has been running very poor on fuel (10-14L per 100km). I am concerned that my timing belt is off a tooth or two, causing the engine to run rich. I can smell the rich fuel too. I just wanted to know how to adjust my timing belt on the cam gear (move it anticlockwise or clockwise one tooth in relation to the belt). I don’t know whether the cam has advanced or retarded after the replacement, does advancing the cam gear cause rich running or does retarding the cam gear cause that?
Thanks

 

[donki]

Changing a tooth on the timing belt wouldnt change fuel economy, it will make it run like crap for you to use the throttle more to overcome it,, but not really making it use more fuel. Check for vac leaks, and the Oxygen sensor.

 

[ThaHarvester]

Changing a tooth on the timing belt wouldnt change fuel economy, it will make it run like crap for you to use the throttle more to overcome it,, but not really making it use more fuel. Check for vac leaks, and the Oxygen sensor.

I have an inclination that I may have an exhaust leak somewhere in the front section of the exhaust, is that something that would cause severe fuel economy like this?

 

[donki]

I have an inclination that I may have an exhaust leak somewhere in the front section of the exhaust, is that something that would cause severe fuel economy like this?

Yes if the leak is before the oxygen sensor. The leak will skew the O2's sensor readings towards lean, and the car can use more fuel to "compensate" accordingly

 

[ThaHarvester]

Yes if the leak is before the oxygen sensor. The leak will skew the O2's sensor readings towards lean, and the car can use more fuel to "compensate" accordingly

I reckon that may well be my problem, at the connection between the exhaust manifold and the rest of the exhaust. Will have to check it out when I can.

 

[frosty7]

It would be a good idea to check the cam timing as a precaution. If the fuel economy dropped off at the timing belt change then it's worth a look.