timming belt job without tool

[Davids97Eclipse]

My friend did my last running belt job a couple years back and now the time has come to do it again. He claims that the timming tension tool is not needed and you can just compress the tensioner in a vice grip until the grenade pin slides in the hold then make sure the running marks are perfect and have a friend make sure the marks don't move and pull the grenade pin and that's all there is to it then tighten the tensiiner pulley is this true will this process work thanks any help is appreciated

 

[Aproductions]

Yeah. I used a allen key or something last time. Its been awhile though.

 

[bryanwheat]

My friend did my last running belt job a couple years back and now the time has come to do it again. He claims that the timming tension tool is not needed and you can just compress the tensioner in a vice grip until the grenade pin slides in the hold then make sure the running marks are perfect and have a friend make sure the marks don't move and pull the grenade pin and that's all there is to it then tighten the tensiiner pulley is this true will this process work thanks any help is appreciated

First off you can't compress the tensioner with vice grips. You can compress it with a vise though. As far as needing a tensioner tool to tension the pulley, to get it 100 percent right you need the tool. The pulley will turn while you are torquing the bolt and you will not be able to hold it from turning without the tool. The pulley has to be adjusted before the grenade pin is removed also.

 

[Davids97Eclipse]

Could I just use a needle nose to move the tensioner pulley up to the right into place while I torque it with my other hand?

like this guy How to: Put Your 4g63 In Time - Team-2G Mitsubishi Forum

 

[pauleyman]

You can use needle nose or some other method but it's a big pain. Are the tools necessary? No. Is it worth it to buy them? Yes. You'll get off easy with what's available now. I bought them at dealer prices in 1994. Eh...it was still worth it.

 

[Wrenchit]

That's what I have done and have not experienced any problems yet ( Timing belt -December 2011). It is still a risk that your taking though.

 

[LandoAWD]

FFS, "timing" still only has one "m" in it.

Fixed your title so this will show up in "timing" searches...

 

[pauleyman]

It is still a risk that your taking though.

There is no risk. At the end of the job if it's right it's right. No matter which way you did it there can still only be one right outcome. If it isn't right, tools or not, you start over.

 

[Bouche Dag]

There is no risk. At the end of the job if it's right it's right. No matter which way you did it there can still only be one right outcome. If it isn't right, tools or not, you start over.

I would argue you are taking a risk. You risk having too low of tension on the belt and jumping timing. You also risk too much tension and shearing the teeth of the belt and jumping timing.

Maybe it's only like 10-20% chance but to each his own.

I'd get the tools and do the job right and be confident that you have 60k trouble free miles. JMHO...

 

[boosted99_420]

yea you dont need the tools ive done it with out the before also. But i would HIGHLY recomend you get a NEW hydrolic tensioner though.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I did mine with no tool i followed vfaq without any problems and the book helps out a lot.

 

[boost97gst]

Tools are only like 45 bucks on ebay. Id say its worth it