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[Andy A]

Just changed the Cam belt on my Omega 2.2. Set the tensioner  up for a new belt and did a couple of turns clockwise by hand and all still aligned and tensioner on new mark.

I started the engine up to make sure all was good before punting it all back together and it is.

I had the idea to turn the engine by hand one more time just to recheck the tensioner mark and it was to the right of the new mark by 5mm. I adjusted it again and to the new mark as before and started the engine for a brief bit again. Then turned the engine by hand clockwise 2 turns and rechecked and now the arrow is pointing 5mm left of the new mark.

Shouldn't it go back to the new mark each time or is it normal?

[Andy A]

Hopefully its just the way it is.

I've reset the tensioner one last time rotated the crank two times by hand and it is still on the new mark so I've just put the cover back on. I didn't run the engine and then recheck it this time as it would of changed again anyway.

[JamesV6CDX]

Did you change the water pump? If so did you correctly locate the lug in the pump with the cut out in the rear timing belt cover?

[Andy A]

Did you change the water pump? If so did you correctly locate the lug in the pump with the cut out in the rear timing belt cover?

Yes, I aligned the pump lug with the cutout, see photo.



I adjusted the tensioner again to the v mark and did 4 turns of the engine by hand and the tensioner setting changed again, see photo.



Is the tension OK or do I have to keep re-doing it until its stays on the v mark after engine rotation? 

[terry paget]

I have found that after carefully setting the tensioner with engine at TDC, as I turn the engine by hand the tensioner pointer moves about, presumably as the load varies as cams open and close the valves. It should return to original setting at TDC.

[Andy A]

I have found that after carefully setting the tensioner with engine at TDC, as I turn the engine by hand the tensioner pointer moves about, presumably as the load varies as cams open and close the valves. It should return to original setting at TDC.

I think I will put the old one in and take the new one out and see if the new one is faulty. It was 4 years ago but I don't remember having this problem back then.

Thanks

[Doctor Gollum]

As long as the timing keeps true, I wouldn't worry too much

As Terry suggests, if the tensioner didn't move, it wouldn't be much use...

[mandula]

I had same kind of issue when I did mine.

I did as you did, after turning by hand and running the engine couple of seconds, tensioner was on the loose side about 5 mm.
Then I set up everything all again and re-checked tensioner after turning by hand and running engine couple of seconds and now tensioner remained on the NEW mark.

Haven't checked tensioner since, but it is now past 45 000 km so I assume everything is still fine.

[Andy A]

I'll have another go this morning before trying the old tensioner.

[cam.in.head]

I think terry has pretty much hit the nail on the head.i would think that the tensioner would move its marker as the engine is rotated and depending on wether the cam is acting on a valve spring or not. If you very slowly turned the engine up to its alignment marks i bet it would move slightly especially if you didn’t stop at EXACTLY the same place .and if you stopped turning and let it fall back a fraction I bet it would move slightly too.so long as it never drops lower than the mark all should be fine

[Chazza12]

there is a slight difference between the gm belt and a bosch belt so there might be a difference between other belts. think the gm belts flex a bit more than others. but found with gm ones if you soak it in warm hot water the day before it all goes better at setting up. has to be big bowl so can fit the belt out with no kinks. not had a problem with lining up doing this. don't it on loads of different engines and had no problems. also goes better on lining up from right side then to the left. 

[Andy A]

there is a slight difference between the gm belt and a bosch belt so there might be a difference between other belts. think the gm belts flex a bit more than others. but found with gm ones if you soak it in warm hot water the day before it all goes better at setting up. has to be big bowl so can fit the belt out with no kinks. not had a problem with lining up doing this. don't it on loads of different engines and had no problems. also goes better on lining up from right side then to the left.

Funny enough it was after the car was left in the hot sun all morning with the bonnet up that when I adjusted in the afternoon it adjusted perfectly first time.

How long do you leave the belt soaking in warm water for?

[Doctor Gollum]

Something about that suggestion doesn't sit right

[Chazza12]

About 20 min or over night and wipe off no soap just clean water. So the kinks are out. Worked and lasted every time done it this way.

[Andy A]

About 20 min or over night and wipe off no soap just clean water. So the kinks are out. Worked and lasted every time done it this way.

I'll give it ago next time.