New timing belt not tensioned right?

[Albrecht09]

Just did a timing belt job, got it timed right, but I dont think its tensioned right..seems to loose, heres a vid.

View My Video

What do you think?

 

[bryanwheat]

Were you able to re install the grenade pin in the tensioner after rotating the engine over? It is either right or it isn't.

 

[romeen]

Yeah, you can't really use belt deflection between pulleys to determine the proper tension (not on a timing belt). You either have to measure the distance between the top of the hydraulic tensioner and the tensioner arm or set it so that the grenade pin for the tensioner rod can be easily inserted and removed. The grenade pin method is easier and is a reliable way to get the tension in spec.

Having said that, the belt does look loose to me.

 

[Albrecht09]

My main concern is that when the car is running, and I revved it up a little, (hard to tell in video), if you watch the belt between the exhaust cam gear and where the tensioner pulley would be, it flops around an awful lot...Ill double check if the pin goes in easily tomorrow, I came in the house for the night. Is it normal to have a lot of "flop" in the belt like that?

 

[bryanwheat]

IT is not normal for the belt to flop. Next time check the tension before putting it back together. IF you aren't going to do it right the first time than it isn't worth doing.

 

[jakelandry]

If im not mistaken, and correct me if im wrong, but isnt the tension between the cam gears determined by the orientation of the cam?

 

[Albrecht09]

The flopping I am referring to is the last few seconds of the video I posted.

 

[bryanwheat]

No, tension on the whole belt is determined by the hydraulic tensioner.

 

[Albrecht09]

Assuming I can reinsert the grenade pin, and also assuming the hydraulic tensioner is good, then I shouldn't have any problems, correct?

 

[reddragon1]

Did you rotate the cam on the tentioner pulley before pulling the pin out?

 

[Albrecht09]

You mean rotate the whole motor once the belt was on?

 

[reddragon1]

You mean rotate the whole motor once the belt was on?

No on the tensioner pulley there are 2 holes. You insert a special tool and hold the bracket it swivels on from moving and you set tension that way then you pull the pin.

 

[Albrecht09]

Yes, I did that. However, I don't have the special tool for doing so, but I made a tool by welding 2 allen wrench ends that fit in the holes of the pulley to a screwdriver and used it. I am thinking that I didn't get the pulley tight enough.

 

[reddragon1]

Yes, I did that. However, I don't have the special tool for doing so, but I made a tool by welding 2 allen wrench ends that fit in the holes of the pulley to a screwdriver and used it. I am thinking that I didn't get the pulley tight enough.

Could be also before that is done always make sure the slack in the belt is on the tentioner side that way it's simple ad easy.

 

[pauleyman]

I am thinking that I didn't get the pulley tight enough.

You should have checked the tensioner protrusion. That is the measurement you must take after setting that pulley.