Well, if you are in doubt, the first thing is I would quit running the engine until you know for sure. It may be inconvenient, but so is pulling the head.

Go to VFAQ and see what they have to say. If I replace anything in that area, I replace it all. You cannot and I repeat, cannot afford to go cheap there. Use the OEM parts. Don't skimp. One way to be sure, check where the hole is in the auto tensioner in relation to when you originally installed it. If the pin hole has moved toward the belt, or the tensioner has lengthened, then perhaps you installed it too loose. Otherwise, your tensioner may be bad.

Hedge your bets and once you do, you got a 60,000 mile engine again before you have to do it again.

Wouldn't that be nice? ;o)

I can't remember off the top of my head, but any Haynes or Chilton manual (or maybe VFAQ) should tell you how to measure the tension on the t belt. It will also give you the correct specs. Then you can see if it is truly loose or not.

Actually it's not tension you measure. It's the distance between the tensioner and the tensioner arm. It's very difficult to do in the vehicle. Now, speaking for myself and myself only. I installed everything and adjusted the tensioner until the lock pin which holds the tensioner pin down inside the tensioner just floats in the hole. Then I ever so gently adjusted it a little more until I felt a slight drag on the lock pin. I've never had a failure in doing that. I then rotated the engine by hand 6 revolutions to bring everything back to check my alignments. Also look to see if the pin or rod if you may has stayed in the same place. you can try to re-insert the pin to check it. If you are real close, probably you are good to go. If it has extended, you did something wrong.

Good Luck

i just got done driving the car for the last few days and it seems that be belt has stiffened up alot so i think i may be in business

Old Mitsu Tech said:

Actually it's not tension you measure. It's the distance between the tensioner and the tensioner arm.

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Well technically measuring that distance is in turn measuring (in some fashion at least) the tension in the belt. But yes, that is more accurate. Thank you.

#36 Timing Belt VFAQ

.15 to .18

Good Luck

Old Mitsu Tech said:

#36 Timing Belt VFAQ

.15 to .18

Good Luck

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Article on timing belt install

So, spin the engine 6 times (watch the dowel pin, it should start at 12o'clock and do 6 FULL revolutions to 12 o'clock again before all timing marks line up again.) WAIT 15 minutes and then check the gap on the auto tensioner with 2 drill bits. The factory spec for the gap is between .15 and .177"; Commonly used drill bits to measure these sizes are 5/32" (.157) to 11/64 (.172). To be obvious, the gap must LARGER than 5/32" and smaller than 11/64".

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You can use drill bits to measure the gap. If you're unsure of what gap you're measuring, go to the link for the article as he has some good pics up there.