Timing Belt retensioning question
 

I picked up an 87 944S. The belts, tensioner, rollers were replaced by a reputable shop 13K miles ago; it has not had a retension of the timing or balance shaft belts since.

My question is: Does the timing belt need to be retensioned if a new spring tensioner was installed with the belt?

I've read several different opinions so far:
One answer was NO, that the spring tensioner will adjust for the additional stretch.

Another answer was YES, that the spring tensioner is at a fixed extension when initially installed on a new belt and can not compensate for belt stretch.

The car runs excellent with no belt noise at all. Because of that I am reluctant to mess with them other than a visual check or 90 deg. twist method. My 944 experience only goes as far the the pre-87 with eccentrics and mandatory retensioning.

Thanks

Once the tensioner is tightened down, it will not compensate for drive belt stretch, getting looser as time goes by.

Retension the belt. You will be happier at 6800 rpm than if you didn't.

:)

Thanks George. That's pretty much what I figured but hae never worked on one. So can I just retension it again by releasing and resetting the spring tensioner like on a new belt?

Yes.

There is a method to use with the "new" spring tensioner, but I can't find the link right now.

Basically it involved taking the engine to TDC, then backing it off by (I think) 2 cam teeth. Then, free the tensioner and let it do its thing. Retighten and you are good to go.

Good luck,

Keith

Thanks. That sounds like the Clarks-Garage write-up where you back the cam gear CCW 1.5 teeth before releasing the tensioner spring/roller. The consistency of spring pressure seems to be a concern with some people, even with a new off the shelf tensioner.

Time is a factor
 

Hello,
You said that the belts were done 13K ago, which is good. Just wanted to chime in and say that belts go 30K or 3 years whatever comes first. If the 13K was 3 years or more ago...do the belts. They are cheap and if you are getting dirty anyway...why not freshies?

The auto tensioner really isn't. It just gets you into the ballpark. Use the method of your choice to verify the correct tension. WYAIT, check everything.

Found the way you put that simply hilarious.