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Timing belt walk

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98bluegsx

5+ Year Contributor
61
4
Feb 24, 2018
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Brand new motor with brand new timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley, and auto tensioner. Belt for some reason when tuning motor over by hand walks to the outer edge of cam gear. Hangs off idler pulley about 1/8th inch. Need tips on why it’s doing this
 

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How is the tensioner BRACKET? Is the bushing that it pivots on tight or could it be worn? We have seen a few lately with wore out bushings that allow the belt to walk some.
 
Did you use all of the helper tools when changing the belt/accessories? It looks like the tension was not set properly perhaps? Have you tried to undo and re-do just to make sure the steps were done correctly?
 
I started from the cams then the crank pulley and on but no I never tried a second time. I was worrried I wouldn’t get the timing exact again. I only used the tensioning tool on the tansioner pulling wholes to help plus using zip ties to hold the belt on the cams
 
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Check the post that the idler arm pivots on. Mine was doing the same thing recently and that post had somehow moved out from the main bracket. I hammered it back flush with the backside of the bracket and haven't had anymore issues.
 
Isn't the eccentric pulley supposed to be in the other side? Iirc, it should be in the firewall side?Pin in the hydro tensioner, set eccentric to 13 foot (inch?) pounds, then release hydro tensioner pin.

I'm thinking tension incorrect, maybe the post for the arm too, but I'd redo that and check the pulleys are in the right spot.
 
I’m gonna try to restart and go over everything again then time the engine again whenever I get the chance. Just hope I can get everything lined up correctly again
 
in my experience doing timing belt jobs on 4g63s, the timing belt tends to ride on the outer (away from engine) side of the cam gears. Edge of the belt should be just shy of flush with the outer edge of the cams gear. Assuming you reassembled everything correctly, if it's not trying to actually walk off the gears, you're probably okay.

Gave me pause the first time i did a belt job too, but if you notice, when done right, everything lines up perfectly with the idlers and such when the belt is at the edge of the gears.

Something does sound off about your idler pulley though.
 
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Could the pulley that connects to the crank gear have anything to do with it? Could that keep it from walking at all

Do you mean the crank sprocket, or the balancer?

You should have to have the balancer installed to ensure the belt rides true.

*And my previous post, disregard. Your manual tensioner pulley is on the correct side.
 
I didn’t try it with the balancer pulley on I will give it a try since it’s only 4 bolts. But still don’t get it hopefully it corrects it. Just concerned and don’t want something to go wrong on start up
 
Im having a similar problem I made the belt flush with the edge of cam gears( the edge facing away from the engine). I then turned the engine 3 times and started to notice it walking over to the engine side and also the same happened with the balance belt. I turned it 3 more times and it seems to stay in place so i don't know if it's a big deal. Suggestions appreciated
 
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