The chain needs to have 16 (technically it's more like 15.5) teeth between the marks with the CCT extended on top. No need to pull the front end, but you do have to pull the intake cam if the marks do not line up.

 

What PZ said, just want to add that if all of a sudden you get this code, something (CCT) is probably bad. So you might need to think about replacing it while at it.

 

Thanks guys! Well, I was able to slide the timing belt off and move the camshaft 1 tooth counter clockwise. The car started and ran fine bout now i get this code an CEL 16396- Bank 1: Camshaft A (intake): Advance Setpoint not Reached (Over-Retarded)
Any ideas or comments are greatly appreciated!

 

There are two parts to the static timing (or mechanical timing), the synch-up of the crankshaft to the exhaust cam via the timing belt, and the synch-up of the intake camshaft with the crankshaft (indirectly, via the chain).

If you had a problem with the second, and you fixed it by adjusting the first, you now have two problems. One by itself is VERY serious.

Do NOT turn the engine. Unplug the battery, and go into service position. Open up the valve cover, and pull out the intake camshaft. Set the TB correctly to make sure the exhaust cam sprocket is also at TDC, and then set the chain to have the correct number of teeth, and with the camshaft marks lining up with the arrows, and both TDC marks on the dot.

This is an overview of what you need to do, not a step-by-step. At a minimum, you need to have access to a Bentley manual and follow that.

 

Did you check the timing marks before the adjustment? Or are they aligning now? You should do what PZ suggested and check the chain again to make sure you have 16 rollers between the marks.

 

K2, Thanks! I'll double check the chain.

 

The timing belt was not the issue, the timing chain between the 2 camshafts (under the valve cover ) is the problem. Make sure you line up both the timing belt marks and the chains.