Arrgh! Cambelt too tight!

[TonyN]

So my initial diagnosis was correct?

I have 'over tightened' the belt by pushing the tensioner wheel to forcefully against the belt and locking the bolt?

To remedy, loosen the bolt and let the wheel move slightly away from the belt, then retighten the bolt?

Still involves stripping the bugger down, groan!

Gary

Align the timing marks, loosen the bolt, tighten the bolt, the spring does all the setting.
TBH, I'd stop it a tooth before the mark, undo tensioner, then turn the crank slowly till all the mark line up, then do up the tensioner lock bolt. This will put all the slack on the tensioner side and make sure the belt isn't slightly loose.

Make sure the upper pivot bolt is not clamping the tensioner idler, its tight on some of the aftermarket idlers and the spring can't do its job.

[TonyN]

Isn't it wierd how when one expects something to happen, even when it apparently doesn't, one still can't be sure it didn't!

Thats life!! (and how arguments start!! hehehe )

[hellmett]

re

Tony,

If, for the sake of arguement, I was to leave it 'as is' out of sheer desparation, would I be ok to change it next month?

In other words, could I drive like this for a month or so without major worry?

I know that it isn't recommended but I just don't have the time to fully strip it down again, Afghanistan looms!

The cambelt isn't really tight as I checked it just maybe slightly tighter than normal.

If I changed the idler, tensioner and cambelt next month how do you think that sounds?

Gary

[TonyN]

Depends on how many miles you are going to put on it, round town proabably ok, the belt is friggin strong, the issues are going to to be the bearings running hot and wearing or the bolt on the other idler breaking, as its quite long and goes through the timing cover before the thread starts in the block itself.

Only you know how hard you pushed the idler up on to the belt, hard to advise, I appreciate its a bugger of a job to get the belt again.

The longer you leave it the more chance of wearing the bearings, idlers are easy to change, but the fuel pump is something you don't want to have to change.

Hard to comment mate...

[si tate]

Sorry to butt in again but I have a dumb ass question, which way do you turn to line the marks up "clock or anti".

[TonyN]

clockwise.

[si tate]

clockwise.

[Apache]

looking from the front... or from the drivers seat?

[TonyN]

looking from the front... or from the drivers seat?

Hard to change the cambelt from the drivers seat, most people stand in front of the truck to do it.

Fool!

[si tate]

Hard to change the cambelt from the drivers seat, most people stand in front of the truck to do it.

Fool!

My question didn't seem so dumb after all
Tony.
It's been that long since andy's had a proper motor he's lost touch with it all.

[Apache]

I was just trying to unsettle you Si

Cambelts? Who has need for cambelts?? Chains is where its at.

[si tate]

I was just trying to unsettle you Si

Cambelts? Who has need for cambelts?? Chains is where its at.

Oh I forgot you are with the "cleaner, greener" petrol gang.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Oh I forgot your with the "cleaner, greener" petrol gang.

You're!

[si tate]

You're!