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[megaomega123]

Hi can anyone tell me the normal, visible operation of the timing belt tensioner. When looking at mine, if i open throttle a tad and quickly it jigs a little bit, giving the appearance of being loose also it has a tapping sound.

Over the last week or so I have needed extra revs to pull off, and the idle has been slightly higher than normal.

Is my tensioner about to go? I have just driven from Dundee to Plymouth and am heading back on Sunday. Should I get the cam belt and tensioner done?
Belt last changed @ 49000 miles ago and was 9 years ago.

Thanks

[ClarCE]

Get it done now, ASAP - 9 years ago! It should be every 4 / 40'000 miles!

Sounds like its about to break up mate..

[theolodian]

That's the aux belt tensioner, you can't see the timing belt.  Aux belt tensioners are a common failure too.  It sounds like it all should be done relatively soon.

[Elite Pete]

I certainly woudn't use it until you get the belt and tensioners done. They should be changer without fail every 40,000 miles or I think every 4 years which ever comes first, either way yours is well overdue.

[Matchless]

If you are watching the tensioner action you must have removed the covers so check the tensioner setting while its in bits. The ticking noise could be the tensioner hitting its end stop which suggests it is set too slack BUT it could also be a bearing breaking up so check it out asap.
Belt, tensioner and idler change every 4 yrs/ 40000 miles as stated

[ians]

Just to confirm, you CANNOT see the timing belt at all when everything is together - its behind the plastic cover behind the belt that you can see which is the aux belt - drives alternator/aircon etc.   I suspect from your message that you have not stripped it down, so its the aux belt and its tensioner (over on the left as you look at it) that you are looking at.

But you need to get your timing belt and tensioner done pronto anyway as everyone has said.   Generally recommended to do the water pump and aux belt at the same time - esp. if you get a garage to do it as the cost of strip down far outways the cost of the extra parts.

Cheers

Ian

[megaomega123]

It looks like this. I presume this is the auxilary belt tensioner. sry to sound stupid but im not too good with the mechanics.

On another note. During my trip down the drivers side fan, in front of rad developed nasty noise. I had a look this morning, gave it a wiggle and a stone fell out. There must be about 3mm of clearance between the fan and the housing and a stone found its way in there  

Well I think I should just go and get the whole lot done. After all it sailed through MOT so it deserves a reward.
I am not neglectful, but I only just found the timing belt history today.  

[ians]

aux belt tensioner

[megaomega123]

Power steering has also got noisey. I once again presume this runs off the aux belt and is therefore connected.

I also have no plastic cover. The entire cambelt is visible  

[ians]

Get the garage to check the aux belt tensioner when they take it off - need to do this anyway when doing the timing belt.  

[Markjay]

Auxilary belt, PAS pump... let's not get distracted here, as said by all if the TIMING belt was done 9 years ago it needs doing ASAP with its tensioner, and this is probably far more urgent than whatever problem there may or may not be with the other bits....

[ians]

Can you see two different belts then?

[ClarCE]

Power steering has also got noisey. I once again presume this runs off the aux belt and is therefore connected.

I also have no plastic cover. The entire cambelt is visible  

I sincerely hope thats not the case - that would be lethal to the engine..

You'd be able to see 2 lots of belts spinning, one behind the other.. + wheres your cable tray that runs accross the front of the cambelt cover?!

[Kevin Wood]

If the cam belt cover is missing I'd suggest getting one from a breakers and fitting it, along with new belt and idler pullies and, by the sound if it, aux belt and tensioner pulley ASAP. The belt and tensioners will deteriorate faster if they are exposed to dirt and water and there is also the risk that debris from the road, loose pipes and wires, etc. could snag in the cam belt and destroy the engine.

Kevin

[megaomega123]

My mistake. It is the aux belt that has the cover missing. This is the only belt visible. I am getting timing belt done, the aux belt tensioner, the rocker cover gaskets and plugs and leads.

Should all be back in good working order tomorrow.

Thanks for the good advice as always