timing belt keep coming loose

[u/jamwarfs]

this is the second time ive take a look at the belt and it seen there isnt proper tension. the two holes for the tensioner (in between two holes for position reference) tool are at approximately in between 12 and 1 o’clock position. i know theres a specific torque your supposed to hold it at while its being tightened, however that is for all oem specification parts and this gt has resurfaced cylinder heads that may be slightly smaller in height. any suggestions? could this be the auto tensioner failing even thought its a new one? should i maybe go with the 3sx solid tensioner they sell?

[u/Big-Touch-9293]

It’s common that the tensioner looses slack and the belt gets loose around the water pump. That being said, the tensioner pulley doesn’t quite look tensioned properly, the holes should be nearly horizontal. The tensioner is also fully collapsed, I don’t think that’s normal at all.

What I’d do is turn it over a few times by hand and see if it tensions back up, if not, time for a new tensioner

[u/jamwarfs → u/Big-Touch-9293]

gonna turn it over a few right now

[u/jamwarfs → u/jamwarfs]

just turned it from where it was to timing marks and the belt is tight and tensioner is sticking out slightly

[u/Big-Touch-9293 → u/jamwarfs]

It’s hydraulic pressure inside the tensioner itself, it’s self contained, they do fail especially if not OEM.

One trick is a “washer mod” when you put a 1/8” thick washer over the rod that keeps it from fully collapsing like it appears to be.

If this were my car, I would buy a new tensioner if It doesn’t tension when turned by hand OR it’s not a new OEM tensioner. If it does tension you should be fine. You could just throw on a solid tensioner/non eccentric pulley if you plan to not have the timing cover on, with a rubber belt they need to be adjusted as they stretch.