Timing Belt Tensioner

[KentuckySHOoff]

Any one have any pictures or care to shed a little light on the subject?

 

[shobikes]

What do you need to know? The MTX and ATX are different - the MTX is sprung, while the ATX is spring-and-oil-pressured. I know there are photos floating around here somewhere, maybe do a search in this forum using "timing belt tensioner pics" or a variation. I think Kurt Metros has some good photos on his site, and the Mark Nunnally 60k video shows good footage of how both work. I can tell you how to detension the MTX, but have no experience with the ATX.

 

[KentuckySHOoff]

Well i need to replace mine and was just wondering if someone had any pointer or things to watch for. I have a chiltons manual, just follow that or what? The pics that the search turned up wouldn't open. Do i just take the pulley off or does the entire thing come off. Been looking and ready what i can but still confused. How long should it take to do?

 

[Revere sho]

to take the tensenior out just take the bolts out and it will come out fine thats what i did yesterday and now it runs good. if u need any help to i have a cd i could burn for u on how to do it and u can im me at Vipertec4 on aim.

 

[SHOtimer]

The ATX tensioner is hydralic. Not spring or oil pressured. It is simply held in by two bolts, if you follow the directions in your chiltons it will go just fine. All you need is a vice and small allen wrench to compress it and reinstall it. The ATX tensioners are discontinued so you can't just go pick one up, how do you know that you need to replace yours?

Doug

 

[SHOBound]

while we are on the topic of timing belt tensioners, I just took my sprocket cover off and the belt between the 2 sprockets is pretty stiff, however the belt betweent the sprockets and crank is very flimsy. I was wondering how much movment you should get on the belt (side to side) if any at all. The car has 100k miles on it and it does not look like the belt has been done, however, it does look like that side of the car has been taken apart (there were a couple bolts missing from the sprocket cover and the intake elbow over the cover, some of the hose clamps were boogerd up) How can I tell if the belt is a newer piece ? is there a part number on the belt that will tell if its a newer or factory part ? I can guarantee that how loose it is, the belt jumped teeth and that is why my car will not start or run. Can any of this work be done without taking the whole front of the motor apart like explained in the projectphoenix guide ? It is an MTX. Thanks for any help guys and sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[Revere sho]

the timing belt tensioner wasnt discontiuned here i bought mine for 150bills. and that was like a week ago.

 

[SHOBound]

Nobody is going to take a stab at this one, ha ? I dont blame you !

<small>[ February 27, 2004, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: SHOBound ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Next time, start your own thread.

Replace the belt, in the meantime. It is stretched/worn. The Gates T248 is suggested.

There is a complete writeup on the MTX TB replacement in the FAQ at www.shotimes.com

Steve

 

[shobikes]

The ATX tensioner is hydralic. Not spring or oil pressured.

Um - not to be a butthead, but isn't "hydraulic" and "oil-pressured" the same thing? I had a brain fart and couldn't remember the word.

Sorry for any confusion that may have caused.

 

[SHOtimer]

No, your not being a butthead. Their had just been prior confusion by a few members in the past (I don't remember by whom). That the timing belt tension was held by oil pressure (engine oil pressure). I didn't know if that was what you were referring to or not. Whether it is "oil pressure" or "hydralic" the tensioner is a self tensioning contained unit (I think we all can agree on that... pcorn ).

Revere SHO: You might have been able to pick a new one up at your dealership but I am almost positive that Ford no longer produces them. So, how many of them spread across the country is all we will ever have.

Doug

 

[KentuckySHOoff]

Revere SHO you got mail.

 

[KentuckySHOoff]

did i read this right - all he did was i assume remove the drive belt unbolt the tensioner and remove it then place the new one on? anyone ever tried it this way?