Belt Ten light triggered again
Captain Obvious
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From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Adjusted by feel? Is this a 16V car? If not, then this is a very bad idea. Only takes about a turn between too loose and too tight. I cut corners more than most people know but even I wouldn't do something like this. If you don't have the tensioning tool, use the "string method". Ping it like a guitar string and compare it to what is supposed to be.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Bowling Green, KY
Yikes, Brad!! I didn't know you didn't tension the belt with the Kempf tool after the main job. Bad idea on your '89 man. Best to make sure that the tension is 100% accurate with your car, for sure. 
Three Wheelin'
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From: Bowling Green, KY
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From: Johnson City, TN
I don't know.
As much as I've played with these and posted here, I'm an amateur.
Over the last 2 weekends, I led the project for 4 days, methodically doing a Gates timing belt on an S4, with ALL new supporting parts.
Car made 70 miles before the timing light came on. ( I think it just needs some more tension)
So take what happens to me with a grain of salt. I don't have the ability to say if its stretching.
It does look fully-intact. Retensioning took me two hours or so. Am going to run it some more. ( I have an 84 and 85 running a Conti also ).
The 84 is without PS covers so I check it occasionally and its fine after at least 20K mi.
The 85 has gotten a couple retensions, but it also had a tracking problem from me skimping on parts at first.
So I can't really say, but am comfortable running this one some more after retensioning, based on a visual of the belt.
As much as I've played with these and posted here, I'm an amateur.
Over the last 2 weekends, I led the project for 4 days, methodically doing a Gates timing belt on an S4, with ALL new supporting parts.
Car made 70 miles before the timing light came on. ( I think it just needs some more tension)
So take what happens to me with a grain of salt. I don't have the ability to say if its stretching.
It does look fully-intact. Retensioning took me two hours or so. Am going to run it some more. ( I have an 84 and 85 running a Conti also ).
The 84 is without PS covers so I check it occasionally and its fine after at least 20K mi.
The 85 has gotten a couple retensions, but it also had a tracking problem from me skimping on parts at first.
So I can't really say, but am comfortable running this one some more after retensioning, based on a visual of the belt.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,774
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From: Bowling Green, KY
Well, did re-tensioning result in shutting off the warning light on your wife's car? I guess that's all that matters. I hope that it remains correctly tensioned this time, seeing as how your sex life may depend on it and all. 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,638
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From: Alberta, Canada
He he he he If you used the tool (unlike me 
) then you know that the belt is fine and that it is a tensioner malfunction or a electrical issue.
One side note: inspect the belt very very close to make sure that there is not a defect and that it is not starting to tear.
) then you know that the belt is fine and that it is a tensioner malfunction or a electrical issue.One side note: inspect the belt very very close to make sure that there is not a defect and that it is not starting to tear.
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Under the Lift
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From: Buckeye, AZ
Happened to me. Conti belt. Tension warning at about 25K miles. Retentionsed. Drove another month. Belt warning. Belt found on the loose end like yours. Replaced it with Gates. Ideally these belts should not stretch or lose tension after settling in. Any adjustment needed beyond the 1500 mile check would bother me. GB says the Conti belts stretch like a rubber band.
Rest in Peace
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From: Bird lover in Sharpsburg
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From: Johnson City, TN
Guess its time for me to rethink the belts on the 32V cars.
Tensioner has Shell Rotella 15/40. It took less than a thimble full of additional oil, ie, was essentially full. Thanks. Your question prompted me to check this earlier today.
I have been running the 85 and later cars with the Kempf tool set at the high end of the window, this would equate to about 5.0 on the 9201 tool.
I would keep a close eye on the belt,
what kind of oil is in your tensioner??
Is it full??
Additional note, I set Kempf to the low side for early cars ,
the tensioners are smaller and dont move as much to decrease tension
I would keep a close eye on the belt,
what kind of oil is in your tensioner??
Is it full??
Additional note, I set Kempf to the low side for early cars ,
the tensioners are smaller and dont move as much to decrease tension
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Glad I didn't click on the thread sooner...............there is some serious stupid here. I would have just contributed to it.
I just typed up two paragraphs and realized, it would make no difference with my opinion.
Kemph tool - tight side of the window on either belt on either 16v or 32v engines.
I just typed up two paragraphs and realized, it would make no difference with my opinion.
Kemph tool - tight side of the window on either belt on either 16v or 32v engines.