timing belt tensioner

[NemoX]

how does the timing belt tensioner work? i just had my timing belt walk off the rear cam sprocket and the tensioner is now flopping around. doesnt seem to be spring loaded any more and can be moved freely in all directions, i.e. angle w/ the engine will change. the nut off the end is also missing. what am i looking at replacing? i have the tensioner off a spare engine and it doesnt seem to have a spring on it. this is kind of an emergancy repair as i am to move to florida when i get off of work on saturday night and i kind of need that car...

andrew

forgot to mention, i just had the belt off to replace the front crank seal and i didnt replace the belt because of time contraints. what is the proper procedure to loosen the tensioner? i loosened the center nut and then turned it w/ the allen wrench. does a new tensioner come w/ that nut ?

 

[MelectroK]

I think it depends. 3.0L or 3.2L

 

[autobahnsho]

Sounds like the proper method on an MTX.
Sometimes you have to turn it with the allen key, tighten the nut so you can move the key, move the key so you can turn it again, then loosen the nut and turn with the key, then tighten the nut again.

If you remove the belts, crankshaft damper (get a "pulley puller" from Autozone or somewhere else, usually free w/ deposit) and lower timing belt cover, you can see the stupid thing.

Good luck!

 

[NemoX]

does anyone konw if a new tensioner comes with the nut ? mine is ... well... missing