Timing Belt Tensioner Woes

[Journeytower]

Replacing the timing belts & oil pump on my 2.7 diesel I've fitted it all back together & checked timing a couple of times & all good. Now to put all the bits & pieces back on. I can't get comfortable with the belt tensioner. I had it on & adjusted as per the only instructions I can find & had to remove it again to inspect further & make doubly sure I hadn't missed any locating points & it doesn't appear that I have. It simply seems to sit there retained by one bolt that is not overly tight. Tensioned correctly with a calibrated Snap On tension wrench. I've lined up the 'window' as stated, it holds the belt tensioned & timing stays correct with the belt tensioned & all appears the way it came apart & in all diagrams. I worry what it'll do when running, hot & vibrating.
Is it really that simple ? Or am I missing something ?

[justinc]

Nope. That is how they are. Friction is an amazing thing! ☺.

Jc

[Ralasa]

Just did mine , its surprising how little tension holds the tensioner on , i think the key here is don't over tension, maybe thats got something to do with the oil pumps breaking , well done

[Ean Austral]

Don't worry I thought the same thing, but I had to replace my front seal after 1000ks and I was amazed at how tight the spring load was on the tensioner. I loosened to bolt and the tensioner hardly moved.

You can reach the tension required with just using a spanner and not a lot of force. If you think about how thin the bolt is you realise it doesn't need much tension.

Well done on doing the job
Cheers Ean

[Journeytower]

:o Thanks heaps for the confirmation guys. The thing that always slows me up is questioning & analysing, always has even with things I'm quite familiar with.
I was going great guns when I got home from work this arvo ( I'm too old for all this ) until I looked down & saw sitting on a bracket near the rack & pinion a machined spacer. I have NFI no idea where it came from, haven't seen it before. I thought I heard a tang when I first started loosening the crank bolt but put it down as another item I knew had dropped. This horrified me, I can't see anywhere that needs a spacer like this.
It has a bore of 9.5mm is 25.08 diameter 6.5mm thick with a 21.8mm dia step 1.5mm high.
I think I managed to attach photos. HEEELLLPP anyone.

[justinc]

:o Thanks heaps for the confirmation guys. The thing that always slows me up is questioning & analysing, always has even with things I'm quite familiar with.
I was going great guns when I got home from work this arvo ( I'm too old for all this ) until I looked down & saw sitting on a bracket near the rack & pinion a machined spacer. I have NFI no idea where it came from, haven't seen it before. I thought I heard a tang when I first started loosening the crank bolt but put it down as another item I knew had dropped. This horrified me, I can't see anywhere that needs a spacer like this.
It has a bore of 9.5mm is 25.08 diameter 6.5mm thick with a 21.8mm dia step 1.5mm high.
I think I managed to attach photos. HEEELLLPP anyone.

Possibly a spacer from the back of one of the belt idlers. I can't remember seeing this kind of thing at all when I've done these belts...😕

Jc

[sheerluck]

I've got vague recollections that that may be part of the hub that sits behind the LH camshaft pulley.

I've got a dismantled one, I'll be able to check in the morning.

...or, there is a spacer that sits behind the rear belt tensioner.

[sheerluck]

Hmmm, just looking at the parts list, and can't see that spacer. However, I'm pretty sure I had one behind the rear belt tensioner, and it went on crooked until I had it in place. :confused: