Question about the ATX timing belt tensioner

[SeanMc]

Is it oil pressure/hydraulic or spring based? My timing belt is making a pretty bad noise right now but clears up at around 1500rpm. I opened it up to find my timing belt loose when it's at a certain position. I crank the car, and in another position, it's tight.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

From what I understand on the one I just removed, none of what you said. It just sits on a pin with a bolt in a pulley that is not in the center of the pulley. The bolt hole in the pulley is offset to the side. Then when the belt turns, the pulley would "lock" into place when first put on by the motion of the belt spinning.

Its hard to explain, and if your not mechanically inclined, it probably wont make much sense.

 

[SHOtimer]

The tensioner is both spring and hydrolically tensioned. It sounds like you have a worn out one.

Doug

 

[PAracer]

I suspect that your hydraulic piston has gone bad, or that you have lost torque on the idler bolt.

The oil is not supplied by the engine. It is a fully enclosed device which is basically a heavily dampened hydraulic spring.

There is a tool that comes with the Rotunda kit for setting the tension. You will need a tiny in/lb torque wrench to set proper torque. You can also get the tool separate from the kit from RCM automotive, and possibly other vendors.

 

[SHOtimer]

I suspect that your hydraulic piston has gone bad, or that you have lost torque on the idler bolt.

The oil is not supplied by the engine. It is a fully enclosed device which is basically a heavily dampened hydraulic spring.

There is a tool that comes with the Rotunda kit for setting the tension. You will need a tiny in/lb torque wrench to set proper torque. You can also get the tool separate from the kit from RCM automotive, and possibly other vendors.

If you don't touch the bolt on the tensioner idler bolt - you won't need to mess with it for the life of the motor...or the bearing.

Doug

 

[SeanMc]

Thanks guys. What would one of these things run?