Mechanical Tensioner needle will not move

[abscate]

OK, take everything I said and ignore it.

I think most already have a script that does that automatically.

[99TurboBrick]

Hehe, no worries. I appreciate all of the attention my issue has received!

[99TurboBrick]

OK, take everything I said and ignore it.

I think most already have a script that does that automatically.

Well, now I have a new detail to add. I just took my new one off, and the cam did NOT spin freely at all. It is stuck at about 1 o'clock. Before I put it on it was free to move.

So, I put the tensioner back on the block, just lightly screwed it in, and took the allen wrench to it CCW. I heard an audible "click", and the cam became free again. So maybe the cam jams up when the tensioner is tightened down on to the block, and it takes some unjamming to get it loose again. Or, I broke something.

[99TurboBrick]

An update on this thread. Thanks again to all for following!

I got a new INA tensioner from IPD. I still had issues adjusting it, as I experienced a lot of resistance when attempting to move the hex CCW. So, I helped the indicator needle move by using my finger to pull it to the right, while I moved the hex counter-clockwise with my left hand.

I then did the opposite to move it back to center (moved hex clockwise with one hand, while pushing indicator to the left with my other hand).

This seemed to be the only way to get the needle to move.

After this adjustment, I torqued the bolt to 15 ft lbs. The needle is accurate for the temperature, the belt rides on the pulleys centered perfectly, and the car runs great. Pushing on the belt moves the needle freely to the right, as it should, and upon release the needle moves back to center.

However, there is a slight shake of about 2mm left and right. Here is video of that. I may try the adjustment again to eliminate the shake. Some people here on MVS say some shaking is fine, but some say it should remain stable. I've probably read every thread there is on this tensioner.

I welcome your thoughts. Thank you!

[Ozark Lee]

That is within the realm of "Fairly Normal". There is a fuzz more modulation on the needle than I normally see but not enough to get me concerned. The needle dances around on all of them.

...Lee

[oragex]

That is within the realm of "Fairly Normal". There is a fuzz more modulation on the needle than I normally see but not enough to get me concerned. The needle dances around on all of them.

...Lee

I have already answered to TurboBrick on the video, but I would like to add my experience about the 'shake'. While I can't say it is a problem that needs be addressed, normally the needle would not shake. I have seen a few of them and were not shaking, while on one tensioner I did install with some difficulties, the needle was shaking. Again, not saying it's an important problem, but on the other side most tensioners will have the needle stable.

While there, from a few readings it start having the feeling the Ina tensioner may not be the easiest to adjust. Sure, the Ina bearings are top quality, but I wonder if this tensioner also has top quality spring mechanism. Not that it fails, but it seemed pretty hard to adjust for several people out there, new out of the box.