V6 mechanical cambelt-tensioner problem

[jewer]

Hi there Alfisti!

First thread on Alfabb.com

Here in Europe we are not used to the revised V6 cambelt-tensioner(non-oil fed “mechanical” tensioner) that is often found on American cars. But somebody else has just recently fitted this thermo-mechanical tensioner-type to my engine – at first sight a very good step, but there is one question remaining for this units particular application on my rebuilt engine. My cylinderheads had just been shimmed one full mm (1 mm) and to match this modification we have fitted adjustable camshaft-pulleys(a locally machine-shop has made these little wonders). When we follow the cambelt-tightening instructions found on the alfapro.com homepage, we can’t get the position indicator pointer to line up with the nominal reference mark. When the tensioner is tightened to the max it still misses some 7-9mm to line up with the mark. We guess that this is due to the shimmed heads has made the belt a ‘little to long’ – so to say. How can we get around this problem??? Shall we take some material of the tensioner-body so that it can be twisted a little further?? Or shall we settle with this max-setting that we have now(the engine has been up and running for some 50-100km with this setting- though not with high RPM)??? Has anyone else ever come across this problem and made a waterproof remedy of it??? Really hoping for some quick answers from you.

Jewer

[Richard2]

You'll get more and better opinions if you post this on the 164 site. Several of us are either going back to the oil fed tensioner or using a fixed one. In the US, too many people have had problems with the mechanical tensioner for my liking. I'm using a modified hydraulic tensioner that is fixed and uses no oil. Jason has gone back to the oil fed hydraulic tensioner. Steve still uses the mechanical one. In your case, I wouldn;t trust that mechanical one. I'd be using a fixed tensioner.

[jewer]

Thanks, Richard2

I'll start the thread on the 164 forum as well.

Jewer

[slyalfa]

yea just look at all the skipped teeth that have been posted over the years and they all had the thermo-crap tensioner.

I run the old type with the oil hole welded up

[jewer]

Hi Slyalfa

Yup, exactly. If it was me who had the engine rebuilt, i would have used that solution, too. Have been using that on my 75 for over 100,000 km without any problems
I actually told the former owner of the car that he should use the old type tensioner with the oil hole welded up. Unfortunately he didn't - and now the car is mine - again. We'll soon have it fixed, though

[BRUCE]

Don't forget this is a belt de-tensioner. What I did was to weld up the oil supply stud and use the existing tensioner without doing anything else.

[jewer]

Hi there!

Thanks for your answers

We're not quite there yet but it will be fixed

I'm stopping this thread here on this site and it will contnue on the 164-site.

Thanks again.

Ciao, Jewer

[3litresourien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRUCE Don't forget this is a belt de-tensioner. What I did was to weld up the oil supply stud and use the existing tensioner without doing anything else.

[kredden]

Check out how I had to mod my mechanical tensioner when I put the 164 engine in my Verde. When I'm doing building the hopped up engine I'll be putting a hydraulic tensioner on it...

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/mila...t-fitting.html

Kevin