Ok i ran the car with no timing covers for a few days just to make sure that all the seals that i replaced were ok. So far so good. However when i went to put the timing covers back on im running into a problem. When i take the adjusting nut off to get the cover on im untensioning the balance shaft belt. How do i adjust it again with the covers on ? Secondly I locked the timing belt adjuster before removing the adjusting nut to hold the adjustment and with the covers on I cant get to the bolt to remove it. How am i supposed to do this ?

 

Isnt the balence belt adjuster spring loaded, thats all the tension it needs, many people want to make it tighter, this is not correct procedure.

 

korner:

I think this is about right.

Starting from the covers off:

1) Remove the nut that locks the adjuster
2) Install the cover
3) Tighten the adjuster nut to spec
4) Loosen 2/3 rds of a turn
5) Rotate the crankshaft about 1/4 turn
6) Tighten the adjuster nut to spec

 

my problem is getting to the nut that i used to lock the tensioner for the timing belt before i removed the adjusting nut. I can get it with a very long wrench however it seems like there should be an easier way.

 

hmm interesting. Good info.

 

How did you get the adjuster locked if you couldn't reach that nut?

Your initial post implied you couldn't get to the nut because the covers were in the way. You are supposed to remove the nut that locks the adjuster before putting the cover on.

If the covers are off, what else is in the way? Mine was easy to get to with a 1/4 socket even without the engine lowered.

Generally locking the adjuster is not used to "hold the adjustment" but to lock the tensioner in a position such that you aren't fighting the tension to get the belts on and off. That's really the only purpose. As soon as you get the belts set right, you can remove the lock nut and let the spring tensioners do their job. Then after you get the covers on, you do the tensioning procedure.

 

i locked it before i broke the adjusting nut loose to install the covers. To hold the adjustment on the timing belt, is that not what its point is ?

 

bump

 

No.

Not for 'holding adjustment'.

It's for locking the tensioner in a position with no tension so you can slip the belts on and off easily.

When you are ready to remove the belts, you push on the tensioner to release tension and install/tighten one of the cover nuts in the tensioner locking hole. Then you remove this lock nut after you've got the belts on and before installing the covers. After you have the cover on, you do the tensioner procedure to let the springs do their work right.