[Vwdiesel] timing belt tension

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/30/2007 10:33:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
vbriggs at stny.rr.com writes:

> Well I'm confused, or is that the age, haven't figured that out yet, 
> anyways. Not having a tension tester for a VW, how do you check timing 
> belt tension after install. Of course the bentley only tells you to use 
> the VW tool, but short of that how do you know. I've heard you should 
> only be able to twist it 90 degrees and I've heard only 45 degrees, any 
> of you wise knowing guru's want to share in your knowledge on how to 
> set the tension without the tool.
> 

 NEVER NEVER twist the belt on the diesels!!!!!  It's actually in 
the later Bentleys I believe (the no twisting).
  The belt should be taught but have almost a tad of slack, yet 
not quite.  Otherwise when the engine's warm it'll be TIGHT.  It 
will also "sing" if it's too tight.  They tighten up a bit when warm.
A tad loose is actually safer than a tad tight.  They don't tend 
to jump but they will wear the injector pump input bushing if it's 
too tight.
    Loren


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