Belt Tension Warning - Is there an easier check
 

Is there an easy way to check belt tension (without removing radiator hoses)? My warning light is going off now and I want to check.

New territory for me and everything I have read has to do with replacing the belt, which involves removing the coolant hoses. Can I pull the cover without removing hoses?

Michael

You shouldn't have to remove the upper rad hose. To check (assuming you have a tension tool):
1. Remove the passenger-side air intake tube.
2. Remove the distributor cap (3 screws) and remove the rotor as well
3. Remove the two bolts that hold on the passenger Timing Belt cover in place. Remove cover.
4. Rotate engine to TDC (make sure cams are lined up and not 180º out).
5. Check tension and adjust as necessary.
6. Put everything back together.

Those are the basics. You might have to remove the dip stick (can't remember). You should also inspect to make sure the TB is in good condition and the gears are also in good shape. Also check the little wire just inside the center cover (you'll see it when you take off the passenger side cover) to make sure it's well seated as this is what carries the low tension warning signal.

Hope this helps.

Perfect. I was afraid that I had to remove a bunch of things. I have the tool. Don't know how to use it yet. I've seen pictures but will be asking questions as soon as I get the cover off if it doesn't make sense.

Thanks for the help.

Michael

Actually, I don't think you need to remove the rotor in step #2. Now that I think about it...

Have fun.

You may need to unbolt the ignition coil on the passenger side, i have to on my 86.5 otherwise the timing cover doesn't have enough clearance for removal if i remember correctly.

Does this minimalist approach work on an '87, as well, or is it more involved?

So, just how do I use this Kemp (or whatever it's called) tool. I have it, I just don't have any explanations on how to use it. I can see where one end fits into the belt. What do I do from there?

Michael

http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc.html

Timing belt is the bottom item on the left, click for easy 175 step instructions.

You don't have to remove the rotor. You do have to remove the cap though.

Thanks for the advice. Checking tension now.

I have now learned to check the belt tension. Not as bad as other things, I've done on the car.

Problem with light coming on was due to wire being broken off at attachment point. The tab that it mounts to was broken. I'm guessing that I can just attach the wire to ground for now to prevent the light from coming on. I'm going to have to pull everything off to be able to replace the tab (not sure what's involved) so I might as well wait till this summer when I plan on replacing the timing belt. Belt looks good and was replaced 3 years ago and about 15K miles. So, I believe I'll be ok running it without the warning light. Reason I hadn't see the problem before was due to a faulty warning computer that just got replaced.

Can anyone confirm that if I attach the wire to ground, I won't get the warning light?

Michael

Yes - Grounding it should disable the alert - don't leave it this way till you forget about it though!

Alan

Thanks Alan.

Michael