My car is once again down from timing belt issues. This time the bracket that the tensioner bolts on to cracked, backed out a bolt, and shredded my timing belt. I was about to go on a road trip today when I heard it making noise again. The belt was was halfway on the cam gears and rubbing against the plastic on the motor side. So I spent my whole saturday tearing the thing apart again.

that sucks ive owned 3 2gnts and ive never had that part break on me

I think there is more to this than just a cracked bracket.

The indentation in the tension pulley bracket is something to be concerned about. That dent indicates way too much tension. the tension of the hydraulic tension has been a concern of some engineers that are the hydraulic is the wrong way to tension a belt. Thos same engineers argue the mechanical is the best most reliable bet. I have seena lot of timing belt issues and that type of impression I have never seen or would expect to. GET rid of your Hydraulic tensioner.

The crack in the bracket indicates to me that one of the lower bolts loosened up. More specifially the lower left bolt. I think the bolt was the cause of the crack.


My advise is to aquire a mechanical tensioner which will replace that bracket as well. Next would be to use a tiny bit of locktight on those bolts. You want just a little to add some added protection against a bolt backing out, not enought to make removing them difficult. Make sure you tighten the bolts properly.


FWIW: It takes me 45 mins to R&R that assy. You sir, SUCK.

just kidding
Terry

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
I think there is more to this than just a cracked bracket. The indentation in the tension pulley bracket is something to be concerned about. That dent indicates way too much tension. the tension of the hydraulic tension has been a concern of some engineers that are the hydraulic is the wrong way to tension a belt. Thos same engineers argue the mechanical is the best most reliable bet. I have seena lot of timing belt issues and that type of impression I have never seen or would expect to. GET rid of your Hydraulic tensioner. The crack in the bracket indicates to me that one of the lower bolts loosened up. More specifially the lower left bolt. I think the bolt was the cause of the crack. My advise is to aquire a mechanical tensioner which will replace that bracket as well. Next would be to use a tiny bit of locktight on those bolts. You want just a little to add some added protection against a bolt backing out, not enought to make removing them difficult. Make sure you tighten the bolts properly. FWIW: It takes me 45 mins to R&R that assy. You sir, SUCK. just kidding Terry

Whats R&R? Did I just get served? lol

You are correct though, one bolt was loose and the other fell out completely. So the tensioner had enough force to twist or push it apart enough to crack? And yeah that impression on the bottom of the tensioner was never there. Do they sell regular mechanical tensioners at auto stores?

Just to make sure I did this right, when you time the 420A you want to be able to pull the pin out of the tensioner and put it back in without the hole moving right?

R&R is a mechanic or shop term. It stands for Remove and reinstall. Same ting as R&I you will see on your bill. You got served and need practice.....i think you need a few more 2GNT's to maintain!

The mechanical tensioner i think you can get from autoparts stores, not sure. Parts dinosaur carries them, I am sure you could have him ship you one fast.

Terry

Well this was my first venture into the world of 420A timing belts, at least I read the destructions right? Hopefully Ill put it back together tomarrow, provided it doesnt rain.

basically what terry was saying is he's done this job so many times that he could be blindfolded and do it completely right.

You'll be like the rest of us soon and have it down to an artform :P