I replaced the timing belt and tensioner the other day. I cookbooked my way through setting the tension, not knowing how things worked, and am pretty sure the rat-a-tat-tat I heard from the engine is the belt, somewhat loose, hitting the upper timing belt cover, for one.I just re-did the tensioning step, following especially Tegger's careful advice at
I watched for the TB's forward side (closest to the car's front) going tense, while the aft side went somewhat slack. In one attempt I did hear a little zing from the tensioner spring. I checked and re-checked this as I tightened the tensioner adjusting bolt. On my last attempt, I do not know if the "zing" and so tightening of the spring occurred or not.
I checked the timing with a timing light, and there are no indications a tooth has jumped. I will continue to be very aware that this could happen, especially when the tensioner is loose or not set right.
On my third attempt, I want to
(1) loosen the tensioner screw more this time. (2) make sure I hear the "zing" from the tensioner spring (3) do as Jim Beam said in the above thread: (a) Turn the engine over three times; (b) watch the tension in the belt; and (c) watch that TDC on Cyl #1 aligns with the camshaft sprocket being in the correct "up" orientation. I will take the spark plugs out to make life easier this time.
Is it true for step (3) that the TB aft side should always be pretty slack compared to the TB fwd side?
Any other clues on how to get this right?
Struggling here. Prompt responses are appreciated.