mark kibort

just received my Kempf timing belt tensioning tool. after reading the instructions, there is a critical picture of the where you put the tool for measuring the tension. Obviously, this is CRITICAL, as the closer to the cam pulley you are, the more tension the guage will measure. So, on the picture, there is about 7 teeth that you can see from the pulley, ,however, on my S4 (or could be 85 in this area) , i only can see 6 teeth. point is, even on the picuture, they show the tooth you engage on is just after (toward the water pump) the smog pump mounting bracket. on my car, im just about in the middle of the bracket where i can engage without having the center belt cover block the next tooth.
THIS is a serious issue, and would DEFINITELY be a reason for belt slip, if the wrong area of the belt is used for the calabrated measurement.
Im off to the shop to get the $600 tool to calabrate what i have . if its different, ill let you all know. im sure it will be.

Mk

Garth S

Consistency is key - always on TDC, and the closest tooth available next to the edge of the center cover, lower span. Far easier to be repetitive than with 9201 - unless you have a ton of practice.

JE928Sx4.

Of course the the $400.00 POS tool will give you a different reading.....each and every time you use it. You're a little late in the game to be passing judgement on a tool that has proven it's accuracy and reliability. But if you want to waste your cash, that's your prerogative.

Tony

Actually, i find it amusing that you are so worried about your belt tension when you drive around care free at gaaawd knows what rpms with teeth missing off your cam sprockets! That makes me shiver just thinking about it.

Jim bailey - 928 International

He is planning on borrowing the 9201 tool ..

Gretch

Mark....."me thinks the lady doth protest too loudly"................Which if I say so myself, seems out of character for you........

heinrich

There is nothing wrong with the Kempf tool Mark. Have a beer, pull up the lawn chair and put your thinking hat on. Come on Dude.

How many of us have used the tool, how many thousand times? One tooth this way or that is not a problem. It reads the same. Just stay in the middle, between the two points of that stretch of belt.

I agree with others Mark, that on your racecar, I cringe when I read that you don't recondition the tensioner (and it was empty to begin with); that you drive with teeth broken off the sprockets etc. On a race car. Take a chill pill man

heinrich

Mark your belt slipped for one reason: lack of maintenance.

heinrich

Ummmmmm .... EXCUSE YOU Mr JE .... that's a $650 POS tool thank you very much

hacker-pschorr

Racing season is over (right?) cabin fever is setting in early. My girlfriend is already preparing herself for my binge weekend (starts tomorrow) since I put my girl away yesterday... I could hear her crying as I shut the garage door - I'm going to pay for it though, I pulled away in my dads 986S taking her to a different location. She's a jealous girl.

JE928Sx4.

Herr Kempf has advised me that he will put togehter a special "Kibort" edition instruction and get it to you post haste.

928ntslow

Mark, you're not splitting the atom! 1 tooth will make no difference what so ever. You WILL get a slightly different reading everytime. There is a bit of a fudge factor in there and all you are doing is tensioning the belt which is a pliable material.

I would like to whap the guy upside the head who instilled the FEAR in everyone about these freakin timing belts!

Gretch

Well, for what it is worth......"fear" is the only thing that keeps the human race from total anarchy.........ie: the fear of the unknown.....

ErnestSw

Ya know Mark, if I didn't know better I'd think that this was your first time EVER using a belt tensioning tool. You sure sound surprised at the geography of the area. The tension is constant in the area specified. You need to stay as far away from either end as possible to minimize the resistance if the fixed ends and you'll be fine, I promise.

heinrich

Gretch I am more of a "fear of JohnD" kinda guy