Auto Tensioner Rod Broke!

[andrewjscott]

I installed my new head, drove for about 3kms, but then I noticed my belt tension was loose, i thought I may have set it up wrong, but no. The tensioner rod snapped in half about an inch from the top of the push rod (inside the casting itself) and the tensioner arm was wedged so that I didn't loose complete tension....but not by much. Luckily I didn't skip timing or anything. What would cause something like this to happen? I set up the timing belt wrong, or is this just a case of bad luck? A new tensioner is on the way; just don't want to have to buy another one.

Will have pics tomorrow.

 

[DSM90AWD]

Did you compress the auto-tensioner too quickly using an impact gun on the screw-in tensioner tool? The auto-tensioner is hydrolic, so if you compressed too fast, the tensioner rod could bind up and snap.

Count yourself the luckiest DSMer in the world not to have thrown the belt or jumped teeth when the tensioner went. Mine did

 

[andrewjscott]

I do consider myself lucky. Everybody that I've talked to was amazed I didn't jump timing but boy was I close; I was hanging on by literally 1/16 of an inch....When I looked at the tensioner wrong, the rod fell out.

I compressed it with a vice.....slowly, and it was stiff has hell. And when I installed it in my car, the tensioner was still in one piece...only thing I can think of is that it broke when i pulled the grenade pin....it did take a bit of force to do that. But I can't see a tiny grenade pin breaking a 1/4 inch rod.

 

[andrewjscott]

well, autoparts stores can't get it in...and the dealership will take a few weeks and 196 bucks to get it in. and I need my car ASAP. I saw somebody turn the auto tensioner into a manual tensioner. Has anybody had any experience doing this. Will it work until I can get one shipped to me? Or any other suggestions?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Try Josh at JM Fabrications . He's been excellent at getting me OEM Mitsu parts quick (and at a discount)

 

[andrewjscott]

I'm in Canada, Anything takes a while to ship here. especially from PA. I'm gonna order one from MachV or SBR (depends on shipping rates) but is there a temp fix. and what about a wrecker? or do they go bad after they sit for a while.

 

[DSM90AWD]

but is there a temp fix. and what about a wrecker? or do they go bad after they sit for a while.

You've been lucky once already, installing an auto-tensioner of unknown age/condition from a wreck is IMO just not worth the risk.

 

[andrewjscott]

Nevermind, a buddy at a parts store up island can get one this afternoon, just a bit of a drive to get it. but only 150 bucks.

 

[andrewjscott]

pic, as promised