Technical Help with Timing Belt Tensioner Pulley

[Andrew Harper]

Hi guys (and girls),

First Post, hope you can all help me!

Recently changed the timing belt on our '98 Brava and for about two months all was well.

When I last left the car and started it the next morning, there was a collection of sounds which caused me great concern!

Guessing it might be the Timing Belt (again) I removed the timing belt cover and have found that the belt has gone slack and is no longer taught between the gearing.

My question is, what is the correct way to tension the Timing belt Tensioner pulley?

I have the kit which includes the tensioner tool (the one like a bar that pivots on the side if the block and pushes against the pulley to take up the slack)

The replacment pulley that I was sold does not have the same setup marks on it that were on the original (which broke when the timing belt failed last time).

Sorry I don't have any pictures.

The service guide refers to two seperate settings, I am wondering if the pulley "floats" or is supposed to be fixed.

One final note, when fitting the new belt it was a very tight fittment.

Thanks, Andrew

 

[JoskeJTD]

Hi guys (and girls),

First Post, hope you can all help me!

Recently changed the timing belt on our '98 Brava and for about two months all was well.

When I last left the car and started it the next morning, there was a collection of sounds which caused me great concern!

Guessing it might be the Timing Belt (again) I removed the timing belt cover and have found that the belt has gone slack and is no longer taught between the gearing.

My question is, what is the correct way to tension the Timing belt Tensioner pulley?

I have the kit which includes the tensioner tool (the one like a bar that pivots on the side if the block and pushes against the pulley to take up the slack)

The replacment pulley that I was sold does not have the same setup marks on it that were on the original (which broke when the timing belt failed last time).

Sorry I don't have any pictures.

The service guide refers to two seperate settings, I am wondering if the pulley "floats" or is supposed to be fixed.

One final note, when fitting the new belt it was a very tight fittment.

Thanks, Andrew

We might have a better idea if you tell us for what engine Bravo/a?

 

[Andrew Harper]

Sorry, I was trying to remember all the detail and forgot the main bits of information!

Brava (registered in 1998)
1.8 16V engine
About 45,000 miles

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Harper]

Sorry it's a 1.6 16v......:bang:

It's my Dad's car, so much easier when you describing you own!

 

[JoskeJTD]

The tensioner on the 1.6 16V is an adjustable tensioner. This should be replaced during cambelt renewal as its the cause of most cambelt failures. It is located under the exhaust camshaft sprocket. To the right of the tensioner is a fixed guide pully, you should make sure this pully spins freely prior to fitting a new belt too.



Use the tool to align the tensioner pointer as shown in the diagram. Then make sure the tensioner nut is tightened to to correct torque setting. Thats pretty much it.

Turn the engine through two complete turns in the normal direction of rotation and check (as far as possible) that the sprocket timing marks align up again correctly.

 

[Andrew Harper]

Many thanks for that, my Dad is out at work at the moment, but I'll let him see this and follow up later.

We usually work on the cars together (I replaced the head, head gasket and a few other things), but changing the timing belt is really a one person job, the only issue he had (and I mentioned above) was that the belt was so tight he didn't use the tensioning tool, there was no play at all. Took him a few hours to get the belt to fit properly.

Perhaps that was mistake we made, do you need the push against the pulley to make the marks line up? Even though there was no slack?

Cheers for your help, much appreciated.

 

[JoskeJTD]

You did unloosen the tensioner bolt?

You should be able to push the tool by hand far enough to align the markings and possibly a little beyond. If the tensioner never moved even with the bolt loosened, then I can only say the tensioner is knackered.

 

[arc]

if the belt has become slack, and you've tried to start it then you've probably bent a valve or two (collection of bad sounds!) - the tensioner is the least of your worries.

 

[Andrew Harper]

The tensioner was indeed loosened.

I have since found out that my Dad purchased the pulley from a specialist garage as opposed to a FIAT garage. They claim it's a replacement design created by FIAT.

The pulley has broken (again).

It also has no marks on it (which is weird).

He is going to take it to the FIAT garage to see if he find out what is going on with the design.

It's probably a case of inferior parts, but I'll let everyone know what happens and get back to you (at least my bad experience will help others)

But hopefully no damage will have occured, took a long time to fix it last time. Compared to my Mum's Rover Engine (which I've had to rebuild twice) the Brava's Engine bay is a bit of a nightmare.

Thanks guys, your help is much appreciated.

 

[Andrew Harper]

Hi again, quick update about the pulley.

It's a Gates pulley, usually a good name.

The metal arm that curves around the back snapped causing the pulley spring to unwind itself slightly and then the belt went loose.

I think the garage is going to do the head repair for nothing which is one good thing.