Timing Belt Tensioner Advice Needed.
 

Hi all

I completed a timing belt change at the weekend on my 2001 2.4 N/A v70 but after watching some videos on adjusting the tensioner I've realised I've actually set it in the middle section (for 20 degrees) and it really needed it to be set to the left post (cold setting) as the temperature outside was 7 or 8 degrees at the time of fitting (Doh!)

My question is simple, the car has only been run for 30 minutes or so... Is it possible/permitted/safe to loosen the bolt and re-set the tensioner, or is it a get it right first time only type of set up?

I'd like to avoid having to buy a new tensioner if I don't have to :)

Thanks in advance

Joe

A couple of points

1. 7-8 degrees is not cold. In the context of the tensioner adjustment, the "cold" position is for -20 degrees C. Middle is +20 degrees C, Hot is +50 degrees C. So you're probably closer to ideal than you think.
   
   
2. The tensioner is absolutely fine. Just slacken off and go through the tensioning procedure again if you think it's necessary.

About the 3-4 things I like to look at after installing a timing belt

- look at the tensioner needle with the engine idling - it should be steady, not vibrating. If it vibrates is not necessarily a bad thing, some people say it's fine, I had a tensioner vibrating a few mm, replaced it with another brand and now it stays perfectly steady.

- look at the belt from above with the engine at idle - the belt should stay about in the center of the cam pulleys and also should run steady without wobling sideways - all these are caused by either a problem with the tensioner, also possible the tensioner 14mm bolt is too tight (torque is only 15ft-lbs)

-the side cover of the belt, one with the 10mm long bolt, clips on both sides as well and has to engage at the bottom behind the crank pulley as well - this is a bit tricky to figure out. If this cover is not placed correctly, it may rub on the cam pulleys, make some noise and also spread the belt with a fine black rubber powder

Thanks for the replies chaps

My initial concern what that the car was miking an audible whine after the new belt was fitted and referring to the Gates instructions that came with the kit the advice is very clearly that if the temperature is anything less than 20 degrees the tensioner should be set to align with the left post.

Anyhow, yesterday I whipped the covers off, reset the tensioner to 'cold' and low and behold the whine of the new belt disappeared :)

TLDR- Make sure you set the tensioner correctly according to temperature or your new belt may make whining sounds.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...714c3733_b.jpg

Good update. I'm assuming the Gates kit was perhaps talking in F for the left post. We are rather used to the Celsius reference at 15C to 20C for center position, somewhere near -5C to -10C (and below) for the left post, and perhaps near 50C to 60C (and above) for the right post as the engine warms up. If Gates rather meant left post at below 20C then that's a mistake - rather worrying one.