So I'm putting my timing belt on and it won't tension fully. It's tight around the crank, oil pulley, and exhaust cam gear. I used zipties to secure the markings to the intake cam gear and I was going to use the tensioner to rotate the intake cam gear backwards.

Here's the problem, the arm of the tensioner hits my water pump and won't fully tighten the belt.

Here's a picture of how the belt sits on the cam gears:


and here is the swing arm on the tensioner that I'm referring to that hits the water pump:

Any suggestions?

 

Try loosening the pulley on the arm
Also I think it's to be above the pump, can't remember.

I'll look it up now

 

Thanks 4retech, that would help a lot.

 

Place the tensioner back on with the pin inserted.

Now rotate the pulley on that arm with the special tool
(MD998767) counter clockwise.

When that pin is okay and free, you can remove your long bolt
(MD998738) that holds the tensioner down from the side of the block

 

ohhh jebus....i hope this turns out good...gl

 

If you need actual instructions from the service manual I can fax them to you, Just PM me with a fax number.

 

I have them, I need that special tool and no mitsubishi has it. This just sucks.

 

Try a dodge dealer

http://www.google.com/#q=MD998767&hl...w=1004&bih=581

 

Also, any autoparts stores that carry OTC tools should be able to get one too

OTC P/N: 7997

 

Damn mivec cam gear won't stay in place!

 

I called around bobster no local automotive store has it

 

http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/a...ment-tool.html

 

i used a set of right angle pliers and grind down the tips a little to fit in the tensioner pully holes i actually like it better then the mitsu tool have both

 

Yep, you need to pull that eccentric pulley out with that tool and set the base tension. Might want to bolt the auto-tensioner up too before that so it's ready to go.

Also, the suggestion of the 90 degree needle-nose pliers reminded me of 90 degree snap ring pliers. You'd just need to find strong enough bits.

 

dang, timing belts are always so much fun