today i was messing with motor and noticed a little slack in timing belt....when i put the water pump assy and stuff back on, it was stiff and didnt move, but now i can feel the belt move a little...is this okay?


Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

did you make sure and put 20ft.lbs on the tensioner pulley before tightning the tensioner? mine hasn't loosned up at all.

The belt is going to stretch as it breaks in, which is the slack the hydrolic tensioner is suppose to take up. If it hasn't taken up the slack I would say pull the cover and check the tensioner for tightness aginst the block and if it still has pressure to put on the belt.



15.9 @ 86.7mph
97 Eclipse RS

Injen CAI, 55mm TB, P&P Intake, Crower Stage 2 Cams, Hooker Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, Crane Ign Amp, S-AFC

yep, i did put the 20 lbs onto the tensioner.


Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

I do notice when the motor shuts off, that the cam position somewhat gives a little slack in the T belt sometimes, it just depends on where the cam stops turning when the motor is shut off. Start the car again, and shut it off, and then check the tension. Usually it will go back to being tight. Also check your timing to be sure that the marks are still inline. If there is ALWAYS slack, then something is not right. The valve springs put a little tension on the belt, its just when one cam comes back the other direction jsut a hair when the motor stops, that causes a slight slack issue. If thats the case then noting to worry about.

hmm, i'll mess around with it a little.


Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

like xtreme said, i noticed then on some 4g6x when you put a new timing belt on, it is tighter between the ears, but as the motor rotates it seems to get looser the tighter.

Sorry off topic, but should I replace my tensioner now at 77k miles? Im adding a udp, so should I replace since im down there, or is it a real must? how hard could it be to switch later

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 10th Anniversary OZ Edition
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I would, if you're gonig to be around there. But the timing belt involves a whole lot more than just what you're doing. It's your call, mine held until i had it changed at 109k. Then the new one broke 200 miles later. Just make sure that you have new tensioners and pulleys as well.


Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02