my timing built spring tensioner is not staying tight, the spring feels like its not pulling hard enough. any suggestions ?

i might just go to honda and get a new one...

 

use your muscle to tighten the belt, the spring will not help

 

when i first did the belt, i pulled up on the pulley and lock it in with a 10mm bolt, in the service hole, and ran it like that, BUT i believe it was to tight and not enough free play for the belt. catch where im coming from ? when it idles it sounds like its whining.

 

If it's whining, it's too tight.

Do not add any pressure to tighten the t-belt or it'll whine. The spring is there to properly adjust belt. Just get one from Honda; it's only $2-3 bucks I believe.