timing belt change question

[Frogman75]

Have received much needed info from you svx gurus about parts and installation of new timing belt.... my mechanic says kits don't include timing belt tensioner- which seems correct- which he says wears out and probably needs to be replaced as well-- pretty expensive little item...any thoughts?? thanks...MK

[SoCal LS-L]

Its a hydraulic unit..... mine was just fine and I reused it. When you compress it for reinstallation, just check for any leakage of the fluid and that the shaft slides in smoothly.

[dromano]

In this manual there is a minimum spec listed for the tensioner,

http://serial.cc/

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by dromano

In this manual there is a minimum spec listed for the tensioner,

http://serial.cc/

To save you a lot of skimming, heres what the manual states:

"2) Inspect tension adjuster for leaking oil seals and worn
rod ends. Slight traces of oil at rod oil seal do not indicate
problem. Ensure tension adjuster rod does not move with less than 33-
110 lbs. (15-50 kg) of force applied.

3) Replace tension adjuster if rod moves. Measure tension
adjuster rods extension beyond adjuster body. Distance should be .606-
.646" (15.40-16.40 mm). Replace tension adjuster if distance is not
correct. Inspect idler pulleys and tensioners for smooth rotation.
Replace components if noise or excessive play is noted."

As you can see, the service limit for applied force to compress is extremely wide ranging, basically look to see if theres a lot of oil pouring out of it, and if it doesnt compress by merely squeezing it with your hand, its ok. Also make sure the rod doesnt wiggle.

If you dont have it already, the link to download the manual is in my signature, as apparently you cant download the one in the "serial.cc" link. Its much easier to find what you seek when you have the downloaded version as the individual .pdf's are labeled.

[yt]

in my experiences, I have yet to see an SVX timing belt tensioner go bad... ever

Tom

[trophy956]

hi
these tensioner were better then there replacment ,if its not bad dont replace it

[SoCal LS-L]

Just a side note, when you compress it, do it slowly, if you force it too fast you risk bending the rod.

Also, when you insert the holding pin/nail/whatever.... make sure you position it with the head of the pin/nail facing outwards in relation to the position of the tensioner after install, or you wont be able to pull it out to release the rod after the pulley and belt are re-installed, and you will have to redo it. This isn't from experience or anything

[smokin_dodge]

i have the timing cover off of my motor right now and am looking at the idler pulley's. i have a 2.2 sitting next to it and it appears as if the pulley's would fit. can i use the pulley's off of the 2.2 and put them on the 3.3??

if not where can i find them. the timing belt was replaced a year ago and looks great, but the idlers look like they have seen better days.

[SoCal LS-L]

I believe the 3.3L belt and pulleys are wider, the 2.2L pulleys are too narrow to use. You can get them from EBay in a kit, but it also includes the timing belt. Depending on how bad they are, you might have luck finding a better set from another member here in the parts for sale section.

[smokin_dodge]

you wouldnt happen to know the part numbers for the idlers would you? its rather hard to find consistent part numbers for these cars on different sites

[Hocrest]

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=svx...1&_from=&_ipg=

[smokin_dodge]

hmm. something about that looks to good to be true.

ive been looking online from a number of recommended sources and the total bill is coming out to be much more than what their advertised price is. ive been quoted nearly $100 just for the timing belt.

i appreciate the help but im not buying from that company until i can do some more research on them.


ill give you a little info on what im doing. a friend has a 1986 westfalia vanagon, weekender, that had a bad #1 cylinder in the stock 2.1L motor. we were planning on doing a ztec conversion or a 2.2L as they are more common, but he got a deal on the SVX. it has 87,000 miles on it and a new water pump and timing belt. so im going to keep the timing belt and just replace the idlers. possibly thinking about replacing the tensioner but i wont know until i get the timing belt off

im trying to get all these parts accounted for before i order all of what i need and save on shipping.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by smokin_dodge

hmm. something about that looks to good to be true.

ive been looking online from a number of recommended sources and the total bill is coming out to be much more than what their advertised price is. ive been quoted nearly $100 just for the timing belt.

i appreciate the help but im not buying from that company until i can do some more research on them.


ill give you a little info on what im doing. a friend has a 1986 westfalia vanagon, weekender, that had a bad #1 cylinder in the stock 2.1L motor. we were planning on doing a ztec conversion or a 2.2L as they are more common, but he got a deal on the SVX. it has 87,000 miles on it and a new water pump and timing belt. so im going to keep the timing belt and just replace the idlers. possibly thinking about replacing the tensioner but i wont know until i get the timing belt off

im trying to get all these parts accounted for before i order all of what i need and save on shipping.

I remember quite a few members here mentioning they have used the timing belt/pulley set bought from EBay. More pricey doesnt always mean better, but if you have the funds to blow, then order them all from the dealership. I will be hard to find the idlers by themselves without the belt, unless you want to shell out for them individually.

[davew833]

Nobody's going to express mild dismay that smokin_dodge and his buddy are parting out an 87k mile SVX to repower a Vanagon? He's the second person that's doing (or has already done) a Vanagon to join SVXWN this week. (The other guy's post is here: http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51980)

Everyone's welcome here, I'm sure, but I can't help shedding a wee tear... I guess we could encourage them to disassemble the SVX carefully so that it might be put back on the road again in the future.

[smokin_dodge]

well to give you some re-assurance, my degree is in agricultural mechanics, amd this is my senior project so to say. as far as my "buddy" its my professor who has helped with a number of subaru conversions.

as far as getting the motor running it wont be a problem at all, my main concern is the reversed coolant manifold to re-route the coolant lines for the front mounted radiator.