Timing belt Tension tool

Wingnut · 2024-10-13 14:42:09

Hi folks,
I'm about to do my water pump and timing belt kit.
I've read through the service guide and it recommends using a specific tool for measuring the tension on the belt. I've searched online and can't seem to find one for sale.
Has anyone used an alternative tool they can recommend?

Wingnut · 2024-10-13 14:45:08

Also is there a tidy way of draining the coolant beforehand? Every youtube video I've watched people just seem to pull the water pump off and let the coolant out everywhere, which I'd like to avoid since I'm doing it in my driveway.

Last edited by Wingnut (2024-10-13 14:45:48)

RegW · 2024-10-13 19:24:34

I think removing the bottom rad hose is the usual way
as I've never seen any reference to a drain valve

Wingnut · 2024-10-13 19:37:35

Thanks man, any suggestions on getting the tension on the belt right?

RegW · 2024-10-13 21:52:25

I know of the tensior gadget but never had or used one.
I got my local guy to do my cam belt kit as he's very reasonable and reliable
and couldn't be be arsed to do it myself
RE tension,
there is/was a rule of thumb which involved how much you could twist the belt under tension
to give an idea of how tight/loose it was.
Its been a while since i did a cam belt and cant recall exact parameters
but as a crude example, if you could twist the belt 180 degrees it was too loose
and if you could NOT or struggled to twist it 45 degrees, it was too tight
and if you could twist it 90 degrees under tension it was about right.
I also cant recall if this was on the longer or shorter reaches of the belt.

I repeat this is a guess from vague memory
but it was something like the above
I seem to recall doing the cam belt on my old C15 1.9D XUD lump like this

Last edited by RegW (2024-10-13 21:55:45)

Wingnut · 2024-10-13 22:59:30

Yeah I had seen a few Twisting the belt on the long upper side of it alright I'll do a bit more research, I had asked a local mechanic for a quote on a few jobs, fitting the springs and belts being two of them, he took all my details 6 weeks ago and I've heard nothing since so I said f**k it I'm have a go meself.

Wingnut · 2024-11-18 14:54:31

Well I finally got round to finishing my timing belt at the weekend, the tensioner in the kit I ordered arrived damaged in the box and it took them weeks to get a replacement out to me, it was free of charge so not all bad.
I found an app for my phone from gates that works like a guitar tuner and you pluck the belt to get a Hz reading so I used that to gauge the correct tension of the belt, I was a little nervous before turning the key but thankfully it fired right up so I'm happy out.

Wingnut · 2024-11-18 14:56:52

https://www.techtips.ie/NTN-SNR/timing- … eugeot.pdf

These are the instructions I found, it gives belt tension in both seem units and Hz which I found useful, hopefully it helps someone else out too!

Last edited by Wingnut (2024-11-18 14:57:21)

kenbw2 · 2024-11-18 20:38:16

Well I've never heard of listening to the frequency to gauge belt tension. I guess it makes sense but I wouldn't have expected it to be nearly precise enough but hey if it works it works

I'm never brave enough to do my own timing belt. It's basically the same as doing an aux belt except with the spicy consequences if you get it wrong

That said I had this shortly after having a garage deal with mine so that's no guarantee either

Wingnut · 2024-11-23 23:37:52

Jeez that's rough looking!
I was skeptical myself about the frequency measurement but you take 3 measurements and it gives you the average, the only other cheap way I could find of measuring the tension was the twist test but I simply don't have the years of experience to know if it was tight enough or not.
from what I've read online it "seem"s renault used to use the same gauge as fiat,citroen,peugeot and changed to a harmonics gauge which I believe works much the same. these gauges are much cheaper than the seem gauge but I didn't see the need to buy one just yet.

The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Get help & share your Citroen Dispatch (Jumpy) | Peugeot Expert | Fiat Scudo tips

#1 2024-10-13 14:42:09

Timing belt Tension tool

#2 2024-10-13 14:45:08

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#3 2024-10-13 19:24:34

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#4 2024-10-13 19:37:35

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#5 2024-10-13 21:52:25

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#6 2024-10-13 22:59:30

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#7 2024-11-18 14:54:31

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#8 2024-11-18 14:56:52

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#9 2024-11-18 20:38:16

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

#10 2024-11-23 23:37:52

Re: Timing belt Tension tool

Board footer