[Desert Rat]

Hello. I have ran my GTV6 a few times around the parking lot where I work. (Car not yet registered). Seems to run ok, but I noticed when the engine is cold, I can push down on the timing belt(between the camshaft pulleys), and theres what I believe to be a lot of looseness...perhaps 3/4 of an inch. Once the engine is run..even for a minute..and shut off...the deflection at that point between the pulleys is gone..it tightens right up. I suppose this is normal? Thanks for any responses.

 

[alfettaparts]

Rat. What kind of de-tensioner are you running?

For example on my car, like yours, the belt feels quiet loose when cold compared to hot however I don't run a hydraulic de-tensioner so if its to tight when cold it will go over tight when hot. In this case I just have to be carefully not to rev the cold engine to hard. If you suspect its to loose tighten it up a little. If its over tight it will make a "whirling" sound.

 

[Desert Rat]

I went into work this morning..and the first thing I did was walk over to my GTV6 and push down on the top of the timing belt...and behold..it was tight. Interesting...
I ran the engine a couple of times...and everytime I stopped it..the belt was nice and tight.
Tomorrow, I have a "moving" permit for testing and inspection. It will be my first time driving my Alfa on the road. I am going to nearly fill the gas tank with premium fuel..and DRIVE it. I will not be gentle..but not abusive.
Shakespear said..."Things won are done, joys soul lies in the doing."
You could say this whole buying a basket case car was an insane thing to do...but...wow...have I learned a lot..and have had fun doing it.
The car is far from done, but I have installed a good engine and sorted out a few problems.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a rewarding experience.......

 

[ghnl]

I noticed when the engine is cold, I can push down on the timing belt (between the camshaft pulleys), and theres what I believe to be a lot of looseness...perhaps 3/4 of an inch. Once the engine is run..even for a minute..and shut off...the deflection at that point between the pulleys is gone..it tightens right up.

Do you leave the transmission in gear & handbrake off when you park the car? And might the car then roll backwards a little bit? This would allow the crankshaft (and thus the timing belt) to move backwards. That might account for the bit of slack between the cam gears.

FWIW, it is not good for the V6 engine to turn backwards. It is very easy for the timing belt to skip a tooth or three that way. I always use the handbrake and also leave the transmission in gear - first if the car might tend to roll forwards and reverse if it might tend to roll backwards.

 

[bayalfagtv6]

If it's a mechanical tensioner the play in the belt varies from where the timing marks are. If the engine is at TDC the belt should be pretty tight. If the engine is off TDC the belt will loosen up. The tensoner adjusts itself as the engine rotates.

 

[86spider]

I am going to nearly fill the gas tank with premium fuel..and DRIVE it. I will not be gentle..but not abusive.
.....

Is this a new car to you?

how many miles / years on the timing belt?

Might not want to get too enthusiastic.

 

[Desert Rat]

My engine has a fresh valve job, good short block with great oil pressure. New timing belt, water pump...lots of fresh stuff....
After I installed the timing belt..I rotated the engine MANY times...and the marks came right up perfect every time.
One thing I do wonder about. When I try to set my timing to the TDC mark at 1000 rpm, vac. line on dist. disconnected and plugged, the engine won't idle...it WILL idle closer to the "M" mark...
I DO think I need to pull my injectors soon..and have them cleaned..should have done that FIRST before putting the engine together, but I was trying to conserve some funds...

 

[ToonRboy]

Rat. What kind of de-tensioner are you running?

For example on my car, like yours, the belt feels quiet loose when cold compared to hot however I don't run a hydraulic de-tensioner so if its to tight when cold it will go over tight when hot.

This is right and wrong. Right in that these cars utilize a "de-tensioner", wrong in that it won't overtighten when hot. It should be tight when cold.

Pay heed to what ghnl said. Look here for proper install instructions:
Alfa 164 TSB 01.96.01

Hope this helps,

 

[Desert Rat]

Just finished with my first day of driving my GTV6. The more miles I put on the car...the better it ran....and smoother the engine felt. Looks like the injector cleaner worked...and the idle and acceleration is much improved. Brought it home and parked it next to my other Italian toy.
I still feel there is room for improvement, but I am very encouraged it shifts smoothly and overall the car feels tight. Thanks again to all of you.

 

[alfettaparts]

This is right and wrong. Right in that these cars utilize a "de-tensioner", wrong in that it won't overtighten when hot. It should be tight when cold.

Pay heed to what ghnl said. Look here for proper install instructions:
Alfa 164 TSB 01.96.01

Hope this helps,

Toon. When the engine gets hot it expands. I dont run a de-tensioner. That was why I asked what de-tensioner rat was running.

 

[wonderbrad]

Love the Pantera!
I want one so bad it hurts.