Noise after timing belt change
I'm having the same problem right now on a new motor I just built, but I think I know what the problem is though. It looks like your belt is hitting the crank trigger plate (reluctor, thin piece of metal) whatever you want to call it. I believe the problem to be the timing tensioner arm itself. As the auto tensioner rides on the tensioner arm it forms a dimple in the bottom of the arm over time (mine has one @ 40k miles). If its not dead center its going to naturally move the belt in. Now I think these blue gates belts (same one I have) are a hair wider than the OEM belts so this amplifys the problem more. From the factory these belts sit very close to the crank trigger plate, once these two other problems are thrown into it, I believe it is causing the belt to walk into the crank trigger plate. I can actually turn my motor over slowly and see the belt hit the trigger plate and from your picture that looks like what's happening to you. I'll update as soon as my new arm comes in at the dealer.
I'm having the same problem right now on a new motor I just built, but I think I know what the problem is though. It looks like your belt is hitting the crank trigger plate (reluctor, thin piece of metal) whatever you want to call it. I believe the problem to be the timing tensioner arm itself. As the auto tensioner rides on the tensioner arm it forms a dimple in the bottom of the arm over time (mine has one @ 40k miles). If its not dead center its going to naturally move the belt in. Now I think these blue gates belts (same one I have) are a hair wider than the OEM belts so this amplifys the problem more. From the factory these belts sit very close to the crank trigger plate, once these two other problems are thrown into it, I believe it is causing the belt to walk into the crank trigger plate. I can actually turn my motor over slowly and see the belt hit the trigger plate and from your picture that looks like what's happening to you. I'll update as soon as my new arm comes in at the dealer.
I can't quote for him and not trying to thread jack (just want to solve this problem for good) but for me having the exact same issue as him with the gates belt I can see it hitting the trigger plate and hear it as I manually crank the engine over by hand. The tension is set properly. Thats why I believe it to be the arm.
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Well sorry you are having the same issue but kinda happy I am not alone. I got a new plate today so going to see if that does anything here is a better video of the noise you can really hear it. This is about 10 mins of the car at idle so nice and warm
http://youtu.be/M-l6SHCfli4
http://youtu.be/M-l6SHCfli4
Thread Starter
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From: West Chester PA
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (24)
Joined: Sep 2008
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Likes: 5
From: West Chester PA
Replace the timing belt tensioner arm. Mine is all good now, belt is on and no noise. I'm going to take some pictures of my findings and hopefully get a sticky, lots of people are having this issue, and replacing the arm will correct the geometry as the guide for the timing belt is on the tensioner pulley which is connected to the arm. Let me know if you try this!










