ECR Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I am modifying a carburated HPC engine for a friend. The engine has plastic timing belt pulley wheels fixed to an aluminium casting which is in turn fixed to the block (which makes it an LN version I think).The belt tensioner is also different to the early XE's. This version is not covered in my Haynes manual so I wondered if there was any information available regarding how to set up the tensioner. Better still, does anyone have a manual covering this variant ? Anything else I should know about this engine that is crucially different from my early XE ? Ex Chairman Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 This is the one with the spring loaded tensioner above the water pump? I used to run this tensioner, it's spring loaded so it tensions itself, you just make sure the pointer is in the middle'ish of the range shown by the two other prongs on the backing plate. Or, if you're not running a cam cover backing plate you can lock the adjuster with a washer and use the water pump to tension the belt (which is much more reliable). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted March 24, 2004 Author Share Posted March 24, 2004 Sounds like the one.... What is the significance of running without a belt cover ? As far as I can see the tensioner works with or without a cover (so could be locked off if a cover was fitted...) I am not intending to fit a cover but I need to be clear that I am not missing something in your reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 The difference is that with the cover fitted you can't reach the water pump to use that as the tensioner so you have to keep the adjustability of the idler for tensioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Hi, the good advice I have recieved is that the pulleys should be replaced with the belt as they have a low life expectancy. I have this set up on mine now. Tension on the belt set with rotation of the water pump ( by RK) Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted March 25, 2004 Author Share Posted March 25, 2004 Thanks Chelspeed Obvious now I think about it... As this is a very low mileage engine the owner has decided to use the existing pulleys.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 But isn't it age as much as use that causes the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 I changed the cam belt last year on my XE LN, and I changed all the pullies and tensioner. The cost of all the pullies and tensioner raised the part bill to around £110 from my local vauxhall dealer, they had everything in stock (a good and bad sign). I suppose changing them comes down to cost / risk equation that only the owner can decide on. I have an astra manual that covers this belt change, but I am not home until Friday night, send me a email and I will scan and email if you like. Chris.... H15 SVN Get it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 A while back when I had an Alfa I went to see my local specialist (a depressingly frquent event) and found him deep in a twincam from a 155. These had a plastic tensioner costing about £75. The service schedule had a belt replacement at 75k but no tensioner swap. This one had run a bearing then seized, breaking the belt and you know the rest. The rebuild cost was £1100. I'd think hard about replacing it. At the very least give it a very careful look over and try the bearing for wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 I think the problems where with the plastic guide pullies breaking breaking apart, not with the metal tensioner bearing, but I changed the lot. I will change pullies now every 2 cam belts, and I will change cam belts well before any service schedule. Chris.... H15 SVN Get it ! Edited by - ChrisC on 25 Mar 2004 16:35:05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 The plastic breaks down over time - hence it's my understanding that age is as important as miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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