I've just fitted a new cam belt. The tensioner is about 17K miles old so I kept it.

However, I can't seem to tension it properly. The tensioner is bolted fully onto the engine block as far as I can tell (no play in the central part of the tensioner) but I can still swing the tensioner pin around and the tensioner won't stay in the right place.

The toothed outer part of the tensioner does have slight play back and forth. Am I right in thinking that the tensioner could be FUBAR'd? Didn't want to splash out for one if I don't need to

TIA

Whats it like with the bolt loose? and make sure its sitting flat. A ruler across the tensioner pulley face will show if its of kilter.

But, TBH I would fit a new tensioner.

WhiteSei said:

But, TBH I would fit a new tensioner.

Click to expand...

That's what I've done.

This is still doing my head in though.

I still can't do the tensioner. Bought a new tensioner but I still can't get the marks to line up and stay there. Am I missing something? Do I use the pin that's part of the engine block to hold the pointer in position? I've been following this - https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/18...t-110-jtd.html

I'm getting right annoyed with this so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just to point out also that adjusting the tensioner so the marks line up takes tension OFF the belt.

So if I fully tighten the tensioner nut with the marks lined up, the tensioner then puts more tension on the belt when I let go of everything. I can twist the belt not quite a quarter of a turn; probably about a fifth.

Am I doing everything right? I can't see anything that would hold the pin in place. The only thing I can see that would hold everything in place is the tensioner nut but that's a no-go ATM unless I'm doing summat wrong.