Timing belt OFF center...help!

[rowlex]

Ok... this is for the neon engine...420A... I puchased the car broken, it appeared that the something had gone wrong with the timing belt. I found a good amount of the timing belt wound around the crank pulley, so it seems that it had been off-center and ate itself up. I've replaced the bend valves, and reinstalled the head. I accidently bent the auto-tensioner thing a little bit when i was compressing it. After I got the t-belt all lined up and installed I cranked it over a few times (w/o spark) then i started it up(for maybe 10 seconds).. sounded pretty good shut it off and started checking things out.. For some reason the timing belt has come off-center about 1/4 inch! It seems to still be in the right position(or damn close) at the crank and water pump, but on the tensioner pulley, camshaft gears, and most of the idler pulley it is out 1/4"+. Anyone have any advice or suggestions? Same experiences?? I was thinking it could possibly be the tensioner pulley so I'll be replacing it.... I can get one from the dealer for 50-60$ or i can get one from pep boys for 20$ anyone have any experience with aftermarket tensioner pulley's? I'm also looking for a crank pulley that runs the drive belts...anyone have one in good shape they wanna sell?? P/M me!

TIA!

 

[TalonSpeed]

I had the same problem. The belt will eventually walk over til it hits the inner t-belt cover. after it does this i will slowly eat away at the cover, then start rubbing against the block.

What U need to do is:
-replace that tensioner (no way around it)
-go ahead and put a new water pump pulley on if u havent already
-get a new belt

Go to www.rockauto.com for the tbelt kit $80 and water pump $40

 

[rowlex]

I had the same problem. The belt will eventually walk over til it hits the inner t-belt cover. after it does this i will slowly eat away at the cover, then start rubbing against the block.

What U need to do is:
-replace that tensioner (no way around it)
-go ahead and put a new water pump pulley on if u havent already
-get a new belt

Go to www.rockauto.com for the tbelt kit $80 and water pump $40

Probably No difference, but my belt is walking away from the block..

A few questions;

1-replace that tensioner (no way around it)
2-go ahead and put a new water pump pulley on if u havent already
3-get a new belt

1- tensioner pulley or the tensioner itself?
2- water pump pulley...? the actual pulley or the whole waterpump - the one on there is only 15K old.
3- the timing belt im putting on is new, still need to replace it?

Thanks for your help! Did you find what exactly was the problem with yours?

 

[TalonSpeed]

if it has walked and touched anything i would replace it.

replace the tensioner and pulley

replace the whole water pump

 

[TalonSpeed]

the tensioner is the problem. usually they just die and dont apply enough tension. Sometimes the plunger tip is messed up and causes the pulley to tilt allowing the belt to walk. make sure u torqued the pulley down to spec

 

[rowlex]

I've learned the hard way about testing the t-belt/etc before putting the outer case and everything back on

I ran/checked it with absolutely nothing that the t-belt could touch.

I'll replace both (tensioner and pulley) I don't feel like replacing the water pump and getting coolant everywhere

I believe the auto tensioner is applying plenty of pressure, the belt was REAL tight, and I have a hell of a time compressing it to get a pin through. It bent one of my dads C-Clamps pretty good It definently could however be that I slightly bent the plunger and it is applying more force to the inner side of the tensioner arm.