Hello there.

I just installed brand new timing belt kit to my car. Before I finish my work and install all the timing belt covers and stuff, I was wondering how normal is it that my timing belt is getting loose between cam gears. Slack between cam gears will disappear after I rotate the engine. But then again after few minutes, there are once again slack.

I also wonder that when I look at my auto tensioner (which was not replaced) with mirror. I see that auto tensioners piston has been pushed back inside and tensioner arm is actually touching the frame of auto tensioner but when rotating the engine the piston comes out and slack of timing belt disappears.

For me it seems that the tension of timing belt is pushing auto tensioners piston back inside and that allows the cam gears to rotate slightly and creating that slack.

 

Belt tensioner is set too tight. You should be able to easily slide the pin in and out of the tensioner 15 minutes after turning the engine over (on a cold engine).

 

yep.....

google the process... read the service manual.

start over.

 

Sounds like you need a new tensioner...

 

^^ he may be correct.

if its all the way in, then it isnt pushing on your belt.. therefore your belt is loose.
funny that it just all of a sudden failed tho.
really should replace it anyway

 

It happened to me twice, after I tried to re use the old tensioner when doing a belt change. My theory is that I pushed it in in a vice too fast and it somehow failed.... Ever since I just buy new tensioner for every belt change..

 

Thanks for replies. I've looked again and it seems that I actually have evo VIII tensioner in my car so I ordered new one that fits my VII.