[Vwdiesel] Timing Belt Tension

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/14/2002 10:34:04 AM Pacific Standard Time,
malexand at inreach.com writes:

> What is the correct way to estimate the timing belt tension on a 1600 NA
>  without the special VW tool? The original belt was low mileage and
twistable
>  with moderate effort to 45 degrees. I had to pull the injection pump in
> order
>  to extract a busted bolt from the air conditioner compressor bracket. I
> decided
>  to replace the belt since I had it off.
>
  I usually use a little more than the relaxed weight of the lower half of my
arm.  This gives you as Nate described, a taught belt that is only snug,
almost loose but with no "flop."  First overtighten it, to pull all the slack
out,
then tighten it to the proper amount.  This is just simply all one movement.
NEVER do a twist test on a diesel timing belt!  It's irrelevant and
potentially
damaging.  Just leave the cover off for the first complete warm up and then
check the belt tension warm.  If it's too tight, you'll hear it "sing" like a
tight
serpentine or "blower" belt.  It will also wear the input bushing of the pump
very prematurely.  A tad loose is actually more safe than too tight.  I've
seen
extremely FLOPPY belts before that never jumped teeth.  I've seen fairly
snug ones jump.  It's  usually from walking, which is exacerbated by too
much tension.
     Loren