Okay, I finally finished the timed belt change work. I replaced the belt itself, tensioner spring and thermostat, and decided to not to touch water pump and tensioner. I had (and still have) some concerns about positioning tensioner but I ended by leaving it in the position I found it originally which approximately conforms to FSM recommendations.
Before assembling everything back I turned crankshaft by wrench a couple times and I didn't find any resistanse.
I didn't move camshafts separately from crankshaft, and the marks on the new t/b were aligned with marks on crank/camshafts. So I presume I didn't screw timing.

So the car runs now normally. I don't hear any hard knocking which I presume I would hear in case if pistons hit valves. Or am I wrong?

BUT here are my concerns:
a) It feels like I got some power loss, especially after the car heats up. It's not very noticeable and it may be just work of my imagination.
b) After car heats up I hear a slapping sound from the belts area. Which can be a loose drivebelt (gonna check tonight) or loose t/b (doubt it because the tensioner position remained the same or may be even more tight then it was originally but the new belt is smaller).

I don't know if there is some serious issue or this is just my paranoia but I'd like to hear what do you guys think.

Ah, and btw do I need to re-do timing after the t/b change?

Thanks in advance,
Max

 

sounds like the belt may be a bit too loose if its slapping around. a good way to check the belt's tensions is to do the "90 degree test". What you do is grab the center of the belt between the two cams and turn the front of the belt up 90 degrees. 90 degrees should be limit of the belts movement meaning if it goes more than 90 its too loose and less than 90 its too tight.

ignition timing shouldn't need to be changed after doing the timing belt.

 

I'm just thinking... Camshaft(s) can't be off by one tooth if lines on the belt match marks on the sprockets, right?

 

I think you should have done the water pump and the tensioner BOLT. I have read twice about the bolt breaking and fubaring the engine.

After you aligned everything, you should have cranked the engine via the crank bolt twice and then reverified the timing marks. Sounds like the tensioner is not working right and/or one/both cams aren't 100% aligned. But if it runs decent, it's "probably" okay. Try cleaning your cylinder head temp sensor. Red connector

 

Thanks Jeff. I'll change tensioner bolt if I'll be adjusting tensioner position. As for water pump I think I leave it for now (yes I know I'm wrong).

I have turned the crankshaft twice after I aligned everything. Timing marks looked fine.

Thanks for the advice about cylinder head temp sensor. I'll check it.