Need help with timing belt

[CBgst]

When everything is installed and the engine is rotated should the plunger on the tensioner move in out. It says to measure how much of the plunger is sticking out but it goes in and out when the engine is rotated. Is that right or is the tensioner bad?

 

[supergoat]

Sounds like the tensioner is bad.

 

[CBgst]

that's what I'm thinking but I'm not sure. It doesn't leak or anything. How stiff should the plunger be. Should have use a vise or something to compress it or can you do it by hand? I can compress mine by hand and then I put an allen wrench in it to hold it.

 

[supergoat]

You should have to use a vice.