VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

General Information => General => Topic started by: AudiVWguy on November 25, 2008, 07:43:50 am

Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: AudiVWguy on November 25, 2008, 07:43:50 am
This might be a question that has crossed a lot of peoples minds when they are doing the T-belt. Those of you who have the tool, is there a measurement in inches or mm that is the same as what the tension gauge says?
Thanks,
-JB
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: zukgod1 on November 25, 2008, 08:11:31 am
Tension gauge?

Are you refering to the gauge that tells you the tension on the timing belt?
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: DCC on November 25, 2008, 09:00:02 am
Quote from: "zukgod1"
Tension gauge?

Are you refering to the gauge that tells you the tension on the timing belt?


I think so. :D

You should be able to twist the belt 90º just in the middle between the camshaft and the pump. No more, no less.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: zukgod1 on November 25, 2008, 09:17:11 am
I thought it was 45 deg?

Anyone have a Bentley handy?
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: Vincent Waldon on November 25, 2008, 09:20:14 am
For MK2 diesels the Bentley strongly recommends the use of the proper tool, with a 45 degree twist being the (very) approximate work-around (90 degrees is the work-around given for gassers).

For MK3 diesels Bentley completely dropped any mention of the workaround and insists on the proper tool... for both diesels and gassers.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: zukgod1 on November 25, 2008, 09:32:18 am
Thanks Vince.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: DCC on November 25, 2008, 11:03:05 am
Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
For MK2 diesels the Bentley strongly recommends the use of the proper tool, with a 45 degree twist being the (very) approximate work-around (90 degrees is the work-around given for gassers).


Thanks for the info!
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: VW_Commuter on November 25, 2008, 11:28:41 am
Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
For MK2 diesels the Bentley strongly recommends the use of the proper tool, with a 45 degree twist being the (very) approximate work-around (90 degrees is the work-around given for gassers).

For MK3 diesels Bentley completely dropped any mention of the workaround and insists on the proper tool... for both diesels and gassers.


So what's the proper tool?  I'm at work and don't have access to my Bentley.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: rabbitman on November 25, 2008, 12:52:10 pm
Yeah for mk1 they don't say anything about 45 deg, just the tool. For mk2 the manual says tool or 45 deg.

Proper tool is VW210.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: Vincent Waldon on November 25, 2008, 01:00:39 pm
Looks like this:

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa85/vwaldon/VW201.gif)

The guys that carry VW specialty tools (Samstag, ZDmac, Hazet, Heyco, etc) generally have it... and for you Americans evidently Harbour Freight has a version.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: VW_Commuter on November 25, 2008, 01:24:25 pm
The one at Harbor Freight, which has the same pic as the one you posted Vince :P, says it's for belts up to 3/4" thick.  What's the thickness of our belts?
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: burn_your_money on November 25, 2008, 01:40:41 pm
I'll have to find my mk1 bentley. I thought it said 90 in it.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: VW_Commuter on November 25, 2008, 02:19:37 pm
I'm home now and just checked my brand spankin' new Continental timing belt, wait for it, 1" exactly.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: VW_Commuter on November 25, 2008, 02:37:39 pm
Sorry, the width of the belt.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: jtanguay on November 25, 2008, 02:39:20 pm
they probably refer to the tool because some people might just guess at the angle, and ruin a motor... less liability for them  :wink:
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: VW_Commuter on November 25, 2008, 02:44:58 pm
True.  I'll have to check on the other tool sellers to see if I can find the 'correct' tool for the job.  I'm always looking for more tools, a man can never have enough tools.;)
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: AudiVWguy on November 25, 2008, 04:32:36 pm
How does Bently describe the process for the 45 degree angle? (use two fingers, twist hard, twist easy, please explain). Anybody have the VW tool? The Harbor Freight tool is $29.00 not bad, are the settings the same as the official VW tool. How do they compare?
-JB
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: 79rabbit4dr on November 25, 2008, 09:59:34 pm
Quote from: "VW_Commuter"
I'm home now and just checked my brand spankin' new Continental timing belt, wait for it, 1" [wide] exactly.


I'm confused, isn't the tool for up to 3/4" THICK, not WIDE? So the HF tool would work... Right???

EDIT: just read the listing on  their site (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96557)

says,
    * Suitable for cam belts of various sizes, up to 3/4" wide and 1/2" thick
    * Dual scale allows reading from top or bottom of tool
    * Clear incremental markings with knurled knob for precise measurement
    * Cast aluminum and machined steel construction


NOPE, won't work on our 1" wide belts.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: rabbitman on November 26, 2008, 01:09:40 am
I bet the one from harbor freight would work fine.

I can't find how to buy anything from this place but they got the tensioner here, and a some other neat stuff.
http://www.baumtools.com/pdf/VAG_Diesel_Injection_System.pdf
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: Smokey Eddy on November 26, 2008, 02:22:07 am
wow i've never done any of that.
my budd pulls on the tensioner and i tighten the nut and if there is excess play anywhere in the belt we re-do all the teeth and try again.

Is it stupid to say it's fairly easy to judge when it's tight enough that it can't skip teeth?
90 degrees just thinking about it seems too much
45 sounds like the max I'd allow. if i could get it to go 45 i'd try to get it a little tighter. I usually gently hit it with a finishing hammer to judge how tight it is.

like tire pressure on a semi truck though much smaller hammer :P
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: zukgod1 on November 26, 2008, 06:54:12 am
The reason there is a specific tension required is if it's over tightened you are going to trash your Intermediate shaft bearings AND the bushings in the IP at the same time.

45 is fine and I usually go a tad more, like 60ish deg but this is only becasue I dont have the correct tool.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: 79rabbit4dr on November 26, 2008, 10:47:42 am
Quote from: "rabbitman"
I can't find how to buy anything from this place but they got the tensioner here, and a some other neat stuff.


it has their contact info in that link you posted.

ph: 800-848-6657
e-mail: [email protected]

I just sent them an e-mail for pricing on the compression gauge, inj line crowfoot, and belt tens gauge. I'll let you all know what I hear.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: Vincent Waldon on November 26, 2008, 11:49:24 am
Quote from: 79rabbit4dr
Quote from: "rabbitman"
inj line crowfoot


Hey... cool... that's the only thing I've asked Santa for this year !  :wink:
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: Smokey Eddy on November 26, 2008, 03:23:41 pm
I went out and looked at my belt, yeah, 45 would be pretty tight.

wrecked IP bushings would suckkkkk
and int. med. shaft...
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: jackbombay on November 26, 2008, 06:40:19 pm
FWIW, it is virtually impossible to have the belt too loose. I put a new belt on a friends IDI a while back, the belt on there was so old and stretched out that at idle it had been flopping about enough to hit the insideo f the timing belt cover "ding ding ding ding ding..." The belt actually had slack, it had been that way for some time, it was so old and weak that /I tore it off with my thumbs and index fingers like it was damp cardboard.

  I would never set one up like that intentionally, but it just needs to be "not loose", IMO.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: rabbitman on November 27, 2008, 01:27:22 am
Yeah a few years ago I mustuv overtightened my belt, the int shaft bearings are still good but my IP bushings got worn out real fast, 12,000 Miles on a fully rebuilt pump. The belt was WAY too tight for only about 1000 miles and then my uncle checked it and saw that it was too tight so I loosened it but for some reason it kept wearing. :cry: So I sent it back to get fixed, cost $95, and now it's doing it again only one year later, I'll make sure it's loose enough next time. :x

Warning, this story is not vw related! 8)  
I got so lucky today, I have a '99 polaris XC600, fast 'machine haha.
Anyways today I was ripping along at 75-80mph in about a foot of powder for probly 4 miles so it was working pretty hard, and all a the sudden the engine locked up so fast the track skidded :( I thought great not again, a few years ago I got a clogged jet with it and totaly fried one cylinder, cost almost 600 bucks to fix it.
Anyways I pulled on the rope and the engine was seized tight so I opened the hood and checked it out, you now oil and lines and stuff, everything was fine. So I pulled the rope again and it had loosened enough to turn over. it had no compression but it somehow actually started so I drove it to were I was going, richened the mixture a bit and it ran perfect all day, the compession went back up to normal too. I thought it'd be a little weaker but it hits 90 real easy. :D I figured since it was still set up for high altitude from last year the lean mixture at the lower altitude got the pistons extra hot so they expanded untill they got too tight to move. I had to buy junky oil for it this morning so I dumped a little bit in the gas tank along with the oil injection, maybe that little bit extra saved it........
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: fatmobile on November 28, 2008, 12:10:15 am
Quote
FWIW, it is virtually impossible to have the belt too loose. I put a new belt on a friends IDI a while back, the belt on there was so old and stretched out that at idle it had been flopping about enough to hit the insideo f the timing belt cover "ding ding ding ding ding..."

 
 Yep, when it's too loose it'll vibrate against the timing belt cover,... rubbing on the plastic.
 At about 2000-2500 RPM if I remember right.

 Most of the times I've heard of a timing belt jumping a tooth;..
... it's been during a sudden change in RPM.
 it's been the injection pump that they jumped on,... not the cam or crank.

 I suppose the idler holds it tight against the cam,..
and the belt wraps several degrees around the crank, compared to the injection pump.
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: jtanguay on November 28, 2008, 04:35:23 pm
Quote from: "fatmobile"
Quote
FWIW, it is virtually impossible to have the belt too loose. I put a new belt on a friends IDI a while back, the belt on there was so old and stretched out that at idle it had been flopping about enough to hit the insideo f the timing belt cover "ding ding ding ding ding..."

 
 Yep, when it's too loose it'll vibrate against the timing belt cover,... rubbing on the plastic.
 At about 2000-2500 RPM if I remember right.

 Most of the times I've heard of a timing belt jumping a tooth;..
... it's been during a sudden change in RPM.
 it's been the injection pump that they jumped on,... not the cam or crank.

 I suppose the idler holds it tight against the cam,..
and the belt wraps several degrees around the crank, compared to the injection pump.


makes sense why the 1Z has a roller that helps keep the belt firmly on the injection pump :)
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: 79rabbit4dr on December 01, 2008, 10:31:38 am
Heard back from Baum Tools;

Quote
Do you want the complete kit M70TEK?   $289.00  or just the gauge and a specific adapter?  
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9S7ulOGt3r8/STQoWaMgUsI/AAAAAAAABv0/qS8F-hEzm38/s144/lg4395a.jpg)

H4550   $114.36 in stock

210  superseded to AS4395A  $304.14  
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9S7ulOGt3r8/STQtLKTZclI/AAAAAAAABwU/e8PBC434xcE/s144/pressure_tester.jpg)

Skip St.John
Baum Tools
1-800-848-6657
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: mpg on December 02, 2008, 06:47:44 pm
DO NOT use the 45deg. method!! I did and the belt was definately too tight. The IP soon started leaking from the sprocket shaft, and after the engine ran for  appx. 30 seconds the belt snapped and flew by my buddy's face :shock:  
 Oh, 1.6TD, by the way, and I did buy another belt, put it on, used the proper tool, and the engine still runs fine to this day. No bent valves  :)
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: dieselherb1 on March 07, 2009, 06:39:24 pm
Does anyone have the harborfreight item #?
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: clbanman on March 08, 2009, 06:57:18 am
sorry, double post
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: clbanman on March 08, 2009, 06:58:39 am
The VW tool is cheaper than the Baum tools one.

GAUGE BELT TENSIONER
Tool # VW210
   USD Price:
$103.92     

FOR CHECKING TENSION OF TIMING BELT.

   
Product Specifications
   
Tool #     VW210
Name    GAUGE BELT TENSIONER
USD Price     $103.92
Repair Grp    23|15
Tool Class    Special Tools


(http://buy.equipmentsolutions.com/eCat_Content/eqs/vw/Images/VW210.jpg)
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 08, 2009, 11:08:02 am
Maybe another way to look at is to measure form the top of the cam and pump pulleys, find the center on the belt. From there move the belt up and down to measure how much movement there is and compare to what Andrew has on his gauge. This way you don't have to put any twisting stress on the belt.

Andrew, was that a friends car? Do you still have access to it?

-Jeff
Title: How to get correct timing belt tension without the gauge??
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 08, 2009, 06:32:41 pm
Yeah, I figured that after I typed it in. The only thing I can come up with so far is use a weight, say a 2.5 or 5 pound weight that can be placed on the belt and the drop measured. You can buy them at any sporting goods store.

Just try'in to think a little outside the box.  8)