2002 S80 need help with timing belt tensioner

[Wichitas80]

Tensioner issue on a 2002 S80 nonturbo.

I need some advice in the next few hours.

I replaced the tensioner with the one included in a Beck/Arnley timing-belt replacement kit.

When I put the tensioner on, I tightened it down finger tight. I put the belt on and carefully turned the crankshaft clockwise to make sure that the belt was tensioned on the crankshaft/idler/intake-cam side.

I used a 6 mm Allen wrench to move the "belt tensioner eccentric" (The piece in the center that has the hex key hole.) counterclockwise and then back to the 10 o'clock position. That placed the tensioner indicator to the left side as you face it, i.e. the cold position. (The engine has not been running for several days and it's cool in my garage.)

I tightened the center bolt with my torque wrench while holding the hex key steady. When I got to the proper torque, the temperature indicator had moved to the right.

Assuming that I failed to hold the hex key steady, I started over but got the same result.

The third time, I made sure to hold the center bolt steady while I turned the belt tensioner eccentric counterclockwise and then back to place the temperature indicator in the cold position. The temperature indicator is now in the middle, "warm" position.

I'm either not holding my tongue right or doing something else wrong. What am I doing wrong?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

[oldironsights]

Although tricky to do, one must hold the base to the left in the cold position with one finger while holding the allen key in the 10 o'clock position while tightening the center base bolt with your other hand or third finger.
Fun, isn't it?
If you are not in agony after completing this task, I will remove my hat & salute you!

[Wichitas80]

LOL. Well that seems simple enough--if I had three very tiny hands!!!

I do appreciate the advice!! Thank you!!! I'm pretty sure you will be able to leave your hat on. I'm already in agony just thinking about it!

[oragex]

Before adjusting with the hex key, tighten a bit more the center bolt, not final torque, but just so as to feel a bit of resistance when adjusting with the hex key. Also every time the tensioner is adjusted, the hex key must go back from the start, ie from 7 o'clock so the needle gets into the hot zone and back. The needle should be in the middle at around 60F.
Final torque is 15 ft-lbs (which is not that much).

[moose1]

Greetings, Ironsights. Moose1 here. I am now in the final stages of getting this sucker done & I am facing the same problem as wichitas80 above. when you wrote:"Although tricky to do, one must hold the base to the left in the cold position with one finger while holding the allen key in the 10 o'clock position while tightening the center base bolt with your other hand or third finger."- what do you mean by "the base'??