Where to set timing belt tensioner pulley holes?

MattO · Jan 18, 2003

Hope everyone's Friday night is going better than mine!

Here's what I’ve got…

I've been working on replacing the water pump, timing belt, tensioner pulley, auto tensioner, idle pulley, and crank pulley for two weeks now on my 96 AWD TSi.

I have the tension set properly to the "5/32 drill bit" but the holes on the tensioner pulley are at 7 and 4. Do they need to be at 11 and 2 for other reasons (dynamics, mechanical, balance, longevity)? I've tried to get the holes at 11 and 2 but the auto tensioner is completely recessed in the body if I set the holes there. Additionally it looks like the pulley will rub on the water pump housing if the holes are at 11 and 2.

I'm using all Mitsu OEM parts from Conicelli.

I searched and found various ideas. Some are more concerned with belt tension vs. hole location. The VFAQ for the process shows the holes on top. Has anyone else set the holes at some other location than 11 and 2 and had any problems?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any information.

MattO

Lucky13 · Jan 18, 2003

If I remember correct my holes where pretty close to either 10 and 1, or 11 and 2. Plus right after you do it you still need to rotate it 6 times and let it sit for 10 min? The tension won't always be correct right at first.

Matticus · Jan 18, 2003

Yes, after rotating the engine the tension seems to "even out" in the belt. I just finished my timing belt water, water pump and all that jazz. I re-did my auto tensioner like 6 times before I got it where I liked. Take you time and get just where you want.

MattO · Jan 18, 2003

Thanks for the information. Guess I'll try to get the holes on the top of the bolt.

The thing is that Chiltons and the DSMCD sayt to put 2.6 ft/lbs on the holes with the special tool and then torque the bolt down to 35 ft/lbs. I'm putting signifigantly more than 2.6 ft/lbs on the holes just to get them at 7 and 4.

Could it be possible that the belt that I have is too short? The Mitsu number on the belt is MD326059?

MattO

Lucky13 · Jan 18, 2003

What I ended up doing is using the special tool to get the holes around the right spot, then using a screw driver to lift up on the left side of the pulley to get the tension. It was much easier that way then trying to use the special tool for both location and tension. Plus if you need to adjust it if you don't get the correct tension, just put the screw driver under the pulley again and ease it down or push up on it more depending on what you need.

Where to set timing belt tensioner pulley holes?

MattO

Lucky13

Matticus

MattO

Lucky13

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