Timing belt slack. normal or no?

[Freddyk79]

Just picked up my first 1g dsm. '92 talon tsi awd. 64,000 miles. its been modded and molested, a project but TONS of potential

so I was under the hood and took the timing cover off. The belt has a lil slack, bout 1/2-3/4" of play in it. also while running I can see the belt shimmy back and fourth on the gear itself, ever so slightly tho. 1-2 mm at best.

Is this normal? or should the the belt be rock solid tight?

I do not know when or if a timing job has ever been done. I know timing is critical and wanna make sure its correct.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[xxNocturnalxx]

Start it for a a few seconds then check, it should be taught. If you push on it, it will slack again. If its slacked without touching it I would say you have a problem. But slack doesn't tell you much. You would need to measure the tensioner gap and see if it is set to spec.

 

[Freddyk79]

ah ok. it does run good without any skips or misfires. so the timing does seem to be correct. the belt also looks to be in good shape as well


thanks again!

 

[xxNocturnalxx]

It is critical that you check the balance belt as well, this is very well known to fail and will take the timing belt out with it. Just so you know you're only checking half of the issue. The belts might look fine but age will deteriorate them, just because the mileage is low doesn't mean you'll be okay for a while. I have seen old belts look great but ended up having missing teeth! I would recommend a new timing belt with new tensioner and do a Balance shaft elimination kit while you're in there or at least install a new balance belt as well. Almost everyone on here will tell you to do this first. If you don't, you will making a new thread soon asking if you're engine is still okay after the belt slipped or broke.

 

[Freddyk79]

the car already has a balance shaft delete in it or so I was told anyway. perhaps that would suggest a prior timing job. not sure tho.

oh I already know if it skips timing the head = junk.

definitely wouldn't have thought of that tho.

 

[pauleyman]

You must check the tensioner gap. There is no other way to check. Just in case I wasnt clear. There is no other way.

 

[Freddyk79]

Thanks for the input dude

 

[so slow 420]

I'd replace the whole entire belt kit just because to b on the safe side otherwise ur values u b bent