Timing belt tension

[vanilla gorilla]

4g64 SOHC.
I check my timing belt tension occasionally, thats why I leave my upper cover off. Anyways, sometimes when I check the tension, there is a iffy amount of play in the belt, then sometimes when I check it, its pretty tight. I guess it just depends on where the cam gear lands.?? Idk.

Anyway. This is the 2nd t belt and 2nd tensioner (oem) I have put on the motor in the last 20k miles. So its not like the parts are worn. I had noticed the variance in tension before....and it bothered me enough that I took the timing belt off and put it back on making sure to tension it properly. Which it still does the same thing. But when I did take it off I made sure to note if the hydaulic tensioner was all the way out, but it had aloooot of way to go actually.

I dont want to take the belt off again, if theres nothing wrong. I mean, theres really no way I can tighten it as long as the auto tensioner still has play left in it.

IDK. Sometimes when i cut the car off its loose, sometimes it tight, so IDK. I have always put the timing system on the same way and I havent lost a motor yet so.

Sorry for writing a novel but what do you guys think?

[LandoAWD]

Heat will play a role. Is the car the same temp when you check and it is tighter v. when you check and it is looser?

[vanilla gorilla]

Didnt take that into consideration, I'll check once the car cools off

[david-b]

Originally Posted by LandoAWD

Heat will play a role. Is the car the same temp when you check and it is tighter v. when you check and it is looser?

Took the words out of my mouth. The TB not only produces heat from rubbing in the gears but it's right on the entire engine. I've never checked mine before/after, but I've notice different tensions also. They're made to expand/retract. As long as it actually retracts, you're good.

[ned032002]

Hypothetically if the engine was ran on a really hot day, could the belt get warm enough to just snap? now I'm curious

[inafogg]

IMO,leaving tb cover off only invites problems??i can understand being concered about tension but more so at 50 - 60 k

[vanilla gorilla]

Thanks for the input guys. Im going to do some more inspection.

And for the kat asking about the TB cover....I only have the upper cover off. I run the upper cover off on my honda too....again for quick inspection.

[david-b]

Hell I have my entire TB cover off. Front, back, top, bottom. Completely gone. No problems yet.

[SilvrEclipse]

I cut mine so I can get to the cam gears easily to adjust them. The 420a cover doesn't have a removablet top so I just cut it. Dave is more brave than I am running no cover at all..