Timing belt tensioner jumping S60 base 2.4

algopyguy · Post by **algopyguy** » 27 Oct 2020, 05:25

Car sat overnight.. 50deg in there garage and here is where the tebsioner is positioned... Should it be more to the left?

algopyguy · Post by **algopyguy** » 27 Oct 2020, 05:28

This is the diagraram I'm going by..

Post by **abscate** » 27 Oct 2020, 07:49

That's fine. The tension isn't critical on the mechanical tensioner. My Grunhilde rebuild was running original hardware at 180k and was way over at the cold cold tension when I got it

Post by **oragex** » 27 Oct 2020, 08:42

As above, the needle is correct - it's doesn't have to be 'perfect' in the center
However, the fact the needle moves that much, means the tension in the belt oscillated significantly for some reason. You can actually even here a noise along the vibration
Did you replace the water pump as well ? If so, what was the brand ?
My guesses are either a pulley is 'grabbing' - but if the old tensioner was steady then the pulleys should be fine, either the tensioner was damaged inside while it was adjusted. When you go clockwise, the needle goes to the far right and you feel at hand it 'stops'. Must not force past that point. Then move back until it's at center then tighten down the bolt at 15lb-ft. I explain this here www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-qhJ8Vjhu8

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 27 Oct 2020, 19:19

algopyguy wrote: 27 Oct 2020, 05:25 Car sat overnight.. 50deg in there garage and here is where the tebsioner is positioned... Should it be more to the left?

50°C, 50°F, 50°K or 50°R?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 27 Oct 2020, 20:18

It looks a little on the low side but OK.

It might settle down some if you tighten it a little more ... it could be belt flex that causing the tensioner to jump back and forth.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Oct 2020, 01:15

RickHaleParker wrote: 27 Oct 2020, 19:19
algopyguy wrote: 27 Oct 2020, 05:25 Car sat overnight.. 50deg in there garage and here is where the tebsioner is positioned... Should it be more to the left?
50°C, 50°F, 50°K or 50°R?

I really hope it’s 50 F

algopyguy · Post by **algopyguy** » 30 Oct 2020, 06:29

Yes it was 50def F... But I realized that I might have tightend the tensioner too tight, possibly damaging it.. So picked up a new one and will tighten to proper 15ft lbs on the new one.. Also the belt is a gates heard they are not good belts for Volvo?

Post by **oragex** » 30 Oct 2020, 08:09

Gates belt should be fine, but I like to check aftermarket belts every 2 years, for peace of mind
Don't reuse the same tensioner bolt, it may have stretched and fail upon tightening again. May get one from the junkyard or from Volvo.
Remember to release the tension completely every time you try to set it again (it usually takes a few tries) as explained in this video www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-qhJ8Vjhu8

Post by **abscate** » 30 Oct 2020, 19:06

You won’t have damaged the tensioner with the bolt. It bears on a hard steel boss. You could stretch the bolt but you would have had to ridiculously torque it to do that.

These cars aren’t delicate flowers, these components are tough and well made.

That being said, I wouldn’t use anything but a Volvo or conti timing belt