How do you bleed a timing belt tensioner?
To bleed, I clamp the tensioner in a vise with the small pin up. Pull the lock pin, wait a few minutes so pin fully extends, then (using a small C clamp) slowly compress the pin in, then release…. repeat a few times. Then lock the pin again, install, release pin when all assembled.
Why does the timing belt tensioner need to be changed?
The timing chain tensioner is a part that requires a lot of work to change. That’s caused by the necessary time to reach the tensioner and to synchronize the chain, which is in the engine, not as a belt that is external.
What happens when a timing belt goes bad?
More often than not, it is actually the tensioner that goes bad, not always the belt (unless it is really old). Most of the time a belt will break due to a seized pulley or bad tensioner allowing it to contact the timing cover. Listen. A bad tensioner will usually be accompanied by noise.
Can a bad tensioner cause a belt to break?
More often than not, it is actually the tensioner that goes bad, not always the belt (unless it is really old). Most of the time a belt will break due to a seized pulley or bad tensioner allowing it to contact the timing cover.
How often should I replace my timing belt?
Even if your timing belt isn’t looking all that bad, it should still be replaced approximately every 60,000 miles. Sometimes, signs of wear aren’t immediately apparent. When you replace the timing belt and tensioner, your mechanic may also recommend replacing the idlers and the water pump.
How can you tell if a timing belt tensioner is bad?
With the belt off, spin the belt tensioner (which is usually the plain, smooth wheel on a spring loaded arm; the smooth side of the belt rides along it). A bad bearing will not spin as easily and/or will sound rough.
Even if your timing belt isn’t looking all that bad, it should still be replaced approximately every 60,000 miles. Sometimes, signs of wear aren’t immediately apparent. When you replace the timing belt and tensioner, your mechanic may also recommend replacing the idlers and the water pump.
What does the pulley on the timing belt do?
The snakelike timing belt on the side of the engine is essential for maintaining your car’s performance. It is controlled by a round pulley called a tensioner that keeps the line taught as it rotates. More often than not, the tensioner goes bad before the timing belt does.
Can a broken timing belt cause an oil leak?
Timing belts can become damaged due to excessive wear as a result of old age, or because of contamination from water or oil leaks. If a new belt is over-tightened, it could fail prematurely, or even break. When that happens, the broken timing belt can also cause neighboring components to fail. Additionally,…