Oil on TB tensioner pulley Topic is solved

Post by **Clemens** » 10 Jul 2018, 16:11

Took my timing belt cover off today after a long time jist to check if everything is alright. I might not have taken it off im 2 years. I had the TB done 3 years ago (Gates) including tensioner and water pump.
Everything looked nice, but then I saw that there was minimal oil on the bolt that holds the TB cover (must be some oil behind the backside of the TB cover) and - which is worse - on the outside of the TB tensioner pulley. The area where the belt rolls over the pulley was dry (of course).
The inside of the cover isn't bone dry, but mainly dusty, maybe minimal oil mist. I guess the oil might come from a minimal FMS or cam seal leak (I never noticed till today).

Do I need to replace the TB (which doesn't feel oily and looks good) rightaway?
I know that oil soaked belts need to be replaced, but what about this case?

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jul 2018, 04:32

I would just run it and watch it each month. These timing belts are tough and if it isn’t wet with oil, no damage done.

Post by **Clemens** » 11 Jul 2018, 06:23

Alright. That's what I was hoping for!

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jul 2018, 10:34

If there is no oil on the teeth side of the belt or on the pulleys, then +1 to what abscate says. Maybe just leave the cover off so you can easily monitor. Are you sure the oil is coming from there and not transferring from somewhere else?

The issue is when the oil gets on the toothed side of the belt as it can then slip.

Neil.

Post by **Clemens** » 11 Jul 2018, 14:37

Oh, i thought the issue is that the oil will cause the belt to break.
I think the intake cam seal might be weeping a tiny bit. That oil creeps onto the TB cover bolt. And might drip onto the tensioner. We are talking about very little. But as you've noticed, I am the guy who worries about the tiny details...

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jul 2018, 18:35

If you remove the cover does the oil not just run down the inside cover and not onto the belt at all?

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 11 Jul 2018, 23:45

Clemens wrote: ↑11 Jul 2018, 14:37 Oh, i thought the issue is that the oil will cause the belt to break...

Yes,the oil would eat it but not instantly...it would need to be completely covered with oil for some time(long time) in order to fail.

Post by **Clemens** » 12 Jul 2018, 16:42

Neil, I will habe to check on that. Wr are talking about minimal oil leakage, so I will have to see agai where that comes from