Timing belt tension

[Astron Boy]

Is the belt supposed to have this much give in it?

 

[milkandoj]

The tension between the cam gears means pretty much nothing. You would be better off feeling it from behind the intake cam.

Where each cam sits when the motor is turned off also has to do with where the spring pressure on the lobes makes them sit, so they could sit say a degree either way depending on what lobes the spring/rocker arm pressure it applied to.
That slack will disappear when its running.

Maybe someone else can explain it better than me....

 

[LWNSLW]

turn the motor over and line the timing marks up and then see of if its got as much give.

but a milkandoj said its normal

 

[blackvr]

I would be a little concerned with that much slackness. Might be an indicator that the hydraulic belt tensioner is a bit lazy.... If it is , its likely that the belt may skip a tooth or two sooner rather than later. You really need to rotate the engine a little, let the slack be taken up by the tensioner , and then try testing for belt tension under the intake cam.. Mike

 

[Liberoz]

I'd also be looking at the timing belt tensioner!

if it had a rebuild in its life was it replaced with a new one?

 

[EVO-00X]

Depending on where the engine stops that particular area between the cam gears can have some slack in it or it can be relatively tight. However, that's too much looseness for my liking.
The main worry would be if its also loose on the other ends of the cam gears. As mentioned I'd be investing in a new timing belt and check out the hydraulic tensioner. Actually invest in a new timing belt kit so you get a new tensioner pulley as well.
Ive seen timing belt stretch which has been contributed to cheap ass timing belts so I would only recommend in using either OEM Mitsu, Gates, HKS or Greddy type quality timing belts. I refuse to use Dayco brand anymore because of these bullsh!t exposed joins in them! (see pics) and on some teeth the rubber covering is quite thin over the reinforcement underneath :thumbsdown:

 

[milkandoj]

Depending on where the engine stops that particular area between the cam gears can have some slack in it or it can be relatively tight.

That explains it better than what i said....it depends on which lobes on each cam are being pushed in what direction by the springs to where the cams will sit relative to each other.

It does look pretty sloppy though hey... Much more than my car. before and after the cams were installed.

 

[Astron Boy]

According to the sticker on the cam belt cover, the belt was replaced 30,000k ago by the previous owner.

However, the previous owner said alot... that wasn't true.

So might be buying new belt set I think.