Adjusting the timing belt tension

PROCEDURE

Timing belt tension can only be adjusted when the engine is cold.

First, the timing belt protective cover must be removed.

When working on the 4-cylinder engine in the workshop, use a special wrench, for example Matra V 159.

Loosen the clamping bolt on the timing belt tensioner roller.

Turning the tensioner roller counterclockwise with a wrench tensions the timing belt.

Tighten the clamping bolt to 20 N·m.

Without a wrench, proceed as follows: insert a sturdy screwdriver into one of the holes in the camshaft timing belt sprocket and turn it slightly to the left so the timing belt loosens.

Now loosen the clamping bolt and insert a small screwdriver at an angle. In this way, turn the eccentric of the tensioner roller until the correct belt tension is achieved. Naturally, hold the camshaft firmly during this procedure. Then tighten the clamping bolt and check the timing belt tension once again.

When working on a 5-cylinder engine, slightly loosen the tensioner mounting bolts.

To tension the timing belt, turn the tensioner clockwise with a 6-point socket wrench to a torque of 25 N·m (torque wrench).

Hold the tensioner in this position and retighten the bolts to a torque of 10 N·m.

6-cylinder engine: remove the poly-V belt and the poly-V belt tensioner.

Loosen the clamping bolt (8 mm socket wrench) on the tensioner roller.

Using an 8 mm Allen key, turn the tensioner roller to the right until the correct timing belt tension is achieved.

Hold the tensioner roller in this position.

Using a second 8 mm Allen key, tighten the tensioner roller clamping bolt (45 N·m).

All engine types: turn the crankshaft one full revolution and check the timing belt tension once again.