Problem on the timing belt. Help troubleshoot with VIDEO!

[JonProphet]

Check out this video. Is my belt to tight. Is it worn needing replacement? Is it something worse?

http://www.escortgtx.com/problem%204%20svo.wmv

-JD-

[NY eric]

Tough to tell. are you having problems?

[JonProphet]

It just doesn't sound right. Listen to the video, you'll hear it.

-Jd-

[svoman2300]

Are sure it's not the alternator or power steering pump? Take of your accesories belts and run it for a few second and see if the sound goes away.

[JonProphet]

They are off in that video. It sounds a little better with them off but its still there. I couldnt' take longer video because I was running short on tape.

-JD-

[chalkys_explorer]

maybe the bearing in the tensioner is shot. try removing the belt and seeing if the tensioner spins easily. If not get a new tensioer. NAPA sells one which has a machined roller which is quite a nice peice and a lot cheaper than the similar ones that the race stores sell.

[JonProphet]

$50 at ford for a tensioner.

[chalkys_explorer]

the napa one i just bought was $32 i think.

[Keyser Soze]

I'll agree that doesn't sound good. Mechanically, is the belt super tight?

[JonProphet]

yes. Someone on TurboFord said the tensioner is shot. Even though the thing spins excellent, its in the trash.

-JD-

[NavySVO]

Well, I can't get the video to load......heck, I am lucky to be this far with the bandwidth I have.
I had a problem with noise, but it wouldn't rear it's head until it warmed up.
I was able to get a tensioner from Advance Auto for $28.00, and a belt was $12.00. I replaced them seperately, and it was the belt. Take it off and inspect it. Sometimes you can't see just how bad it is until you can get up close to it.

[JonProphet]

Mike, step away from the can of beer........ unless you are hunting for ugly women... then drink away...

-JD-

[bluemax]

timing belt and tensioner

After reading this thread I began to wonder about the condition of my timing belt and tensioner. I read somewhere, maybe the Ford shop manual, that the tensioner should be replaced at 100,000 miles. The manual is somewhat vague, or just my lack of understanding, on how to exactly replace the tensioner. Doing a search on the subject, Eric mentioned not to get the tensioner too loose or too tight. Anyone care to enlighten me on the correct procedure? Thanks in advance!

[SVOeric]

the replacement of the tensioner is pretty easy and straight forward -- you remove the timing belt (or get it off the top half of the engine), remove the adjustment bolt, remove the big bolt that has the spring on it, and it will fall off in your hand.

When I said not to get it too loose or too tight, I was talking about the amount of tension you put on the belt. I'm sure there is some formula for how tight to get it, but I usually let the spring tighten the belt, and then put just a bit of extra tension on the belt by using a pry-bar on the tensioner while tightning it up.

[bluemax]

I got it, thanks!

Job complete.

When I took the timing cover off to inspect the belt I noticed that I could actually turn the tensioner idler by hand; meaning that the roller was not making positive contact with the belt. After I removed it I noticed that it makes a slight squeaking sound when rotated by hand. That probably explains the noise that I kept thinking was my alternator, but everytime I spun the pulley by hand, no noise.

I replaced the idler and belt and have it put back together. I will check the timing tonight when it gets a little cooler outside.

Thanks again.