2G GST Spyder Timing Belt Help

[Bymp]

Hello all,

I have a question....

I attempted my first timing belt job on my car. All went pretty well, but when I was setting the auto tensioner with the new OEM replacement, I don't believe I set the final gap within spec.

I continued the repair as it was and put the car back together. All seemed to be in tension and all seemed to be alright. I drove the car for about 10 miles and no problems what so ever.

After letting the car sit over night, I decided to check the timing belt. I pulled the top cover and checked the slack between the cams. There appears to be a lot of slack. Not enough to pull the timing belt off the cams really.... but there still appears to be a lot to me.

Question.... How bad is it that I did not get the auto tensioner within spec? Should I tear down the car and get the tensioner within spec? I don't know if it is in spec or not, I really couldn't check it very well.

I have read that if I was to let the car run for a bit and rechecked the belt between the cams, then it will be tight again.

Please advise what you would do in my situation? This is my daily driver.

Thanks,

Joe

Side question.....

If I was to tear down the car again to redo the auto tensioner, this is what I plan to do:

Please advise:

1. Use the special tool threaded rod to release tension from timing belt.

2. Insert Pin into auto tensioner.

3. Losen Tensioner pulley bolt.

4. Remove special tool threaded rod.

5. Tension the tensioner pulley against the belt where the pin slips in and out of the Auto tensioner with ease.

6. Tighten Tensioner pulley bolt and torque to spec

7. Remove Pin from Auto Tensioner

8. Rotate crank 6 times and check auto tensioner to verify pin moves in and out freely after 15 minutes.

 

[c2ypt1c]

From the vfaq http://vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-2G.html:

36. Turn the crankshaft 2 revolutions clockwise so that the timing marks are aligned. After leaving it for 15 minutes, measure the auto tensioner push rod gap with a drill bit (distance between the tensioner arm and auto tensioner body) to ensure that it falls within the specification of 3.8-4.5mm (.150-.177in) as shown in Figure 21.

37. If the gap is outside spec, repeat Steps 34-36.

The belt will stretch slightly over some time, which is why you want to measure the gap of the tensioner.

Loosen tensioner pully bolt, apply tension to the belt, tighten bolt, then recheck gap with 4mm or 5/32 in. drill bit.

I wouldn't run/drive it and risk the belt jumping teeth...

 

[oittehgaps]

If you think it might be loose take the timing belt cover off and just check the gap on the tensioner. Then you will know if you need to repeat the VFAQ sets or not.

But I would definitely verify the timing marks and double check the gap on the tensioner.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Do you have the proper timing adjustment special tools? Back when I did my first timing belt attempt, I was told to set the tensioner and then rotate 6 complete rotations and recheck the tensioner after 15 minutes. If it looks good, I usually rotate it another 6 times and let it go another 15 minutes just as a double check. Hasn't failed on me yet after doing that every time I rebuild my engine.

 

[pauleyman]

The tension is the most important part. You have to check it and it has to be right.there is no other way.