Timing Belt tensioner - Setting tension

[3d914]

I have just replaced the 3.0 water pump on my 95' 3.2 with the correct 3.2 WP. I have all the correct timing elements set for the timing belt and the new belt installed along with the tensioner. What is the procedure for setting/measuring the belt tension? Searched but didn't see anything for the 3.2.

Since the idler has a cam to it there must be some adjustment possible.

 

[trainguy1989]

Its a hydraulic tensioner. So the tension should be set the way it is now.

SHO Phoenix Project:

Use a large C-clamp to compress the hydraulic timing belt tensioner as shown here.

Compress the tensioner all the way until you can push a 3mm Allen wrench into this hole and through the hole in the tensioner shaft

Now you will be able to remove the C-clamp and the Allen wrench will hold the tensioner in place. The Allen wrench should go all the way into the hole and though the tensioner shaft.

After installing the timing belt and aligning the timing marks on the belt to match the pulleys, simply pull out the Allen wrench to add tension back onto the timing belt.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Actually, that procedure is pretty close but not accurate.

After you get the pneumattic cylinder compressed and the allen wrench in there to hold the spring back, you need to rotate the eccentric idler bearing, the one with the two holes in it in that last pic.

Those two hole are what you insert a special tool into. That special tool attaches to an INCH*Poundtorque wrench with a 1/4" drive. With the tool attached to those two holes, you are supposed to loosen that center 14mm bolt and then rotate the eccentric into the belt using some un-Godly small amount of torque. This action pre-loads the belt to the correct amount of "tightness", whereupon you tighten down the 14mm bolt.

Now your timing belt is snug and nothing more. Then you release the allen wrench, thereby applying the tensioner's pressure to the belt.

The tensioner can only provide 3/4" of belt tension at most. So if you start with it 1" away from your belt, you are not going to get the tension that is required.

I can't stress enough how important it is to pre-snug up the belt by rotating that eccentric pulley into the belt BEFORE you release that pneumatic tensioner.

I have that tool given to me but I don't have a torque wrench that reads that low so I give it my best guesstimate.

Tom

 

[3d914]

Gottcha Tom & trainguy.
I'll preload the belt first, then release the tensioner. This should be sufficient for the bench test. I'll figure out some way to get it set correctly later.

Thanks