2G Slack in my timing belt

[Deuce of Spades]

I checked in my chiltons and haynes manuals but i havent quite gotten an answer.

Today i changed my valve cover gasket and i noticed that there is slack in my timing belt in the area between the cam gears. Its not a crazy amount but i can push it down about 1/8 to 1/4 inch or so. Im not sure if my car a jumped timing at some point or if this is normal. The car idles and runs fine and has never given me any reason to think the timing is off. Is there supposed to be slack and if so how much?

 

[bryanwheat]

There should be no slack. It should be relatively tight. I'd be willing to bet that it is tensioned incorrectly.

 

[Deuce of Spades]

Yeah i can pretty much move it about a 1/4 inch up and down with a finger or two.

 

[red92tsi]

Mine has slack sometimes too, im pretty sure its normal.

 

[bryanwheat]

If the tensioner is good, and properly tensioned than there will be no slack, there will be a bit of deflection, but no real slack.

 

[Deuce of Spades]

Thanks for the info . I might as well do a timing belt while im at it.

 

[T is for TURBO]

Define "slack"

If you have to push on it to move it that 1/8" to 1/4" that is deflection.

If it is sloppy floppy 1/8" to 1/4" then you've go a problem.

 

[Deuce of Spades]

Its definately not floppy nor does it sag when observing it. When i slighty press and lift there is deflection, but i dont have to apply hardly any force.

Hey if this is normal then great! I just want to be on the safe side.

 

[Dhan]

You can throw up a quick ten second video of you pressing on it. That's what I did when I wasn't sure.

When was the last time the belt was replaced? Did you do it?

 

[Deuce of Spades]

Truthfully ive own the car for 2 years and im not sure when the timing belt was done. It sat for a year while i was deployed. Everything looked in great shape when i bought it, but i think i should replace it anyway. Who knows when the last time its been done.

I just had my buddy come over with his gst and im gonna compare.

 

[DSM1G90]

Either the 1/4" deflection when you press on it inbetween two pulleys, or you can twist the belt a quarter turn between the two pulleys and it won't go any farther, is what you want.

You gotta have that deflection for toothed belt setups, or the belt will whine horribly and can even break.

-DSM

 

[famousdsm]

if you do replace timing belt might as well do the tensioner ,water pump, and timing components .good luck