Timing Belt Tension: When is Adjustment Needed?

HI!

I recently had the timing belt replaced after 90,000 km.
The mechanic said I should have him tighten it at the workshop every 30,000 kilometers.
"As I mentioned before, I drove 90,000 km with the old belt, and that without needing to adjust the tension."

What do you think?
Should I or shouldn't I?

Hello, if you specify which engine you're referring to, someone might be able to help you...

Rainer K. wrote:

Hello, if you specify which engine you are referring to, someone might be able to help you...

I still have the same engine as you, so it's an AGR engine.

Best regards.

No, I have an AHF, and it has an automatic tensioner.

I am checking the tension rollers on both the AFN and the AHF.
annually, when I do my major inspections.
Sie müssen fast jedesmal nachgestellt werden. Sure. / I see. / That makes sense. / Okay.
Not surprisingly, as the ZR ages, it...
and this also affects the initial tension of the automatic...
Spool rollers changed. I think I remember that the...
ZR belt width and tensioner adjustment on the VAG inspection.
The plan is in place. It certainly can't hurt.

hello Jürgen,
I would like to disagree with you on that.
Let's assume that...
The ZR is new and will be installed with a new tensioner pulley.
Of course, the Z-axis will expand.
But why should I adjust the tension?
That's what it's for, to automatically tighten itself.
One should assume that...
even if the tensioning mechanism is not engaged.
that it will generate enough excitement to last until the end of the fiscal year.
If it's not specified by VW, then I wouldn't tighten it further. This applies to a new timing belt and a new tensioner pulley.

If you tighten the tensioner on a timing belt that has already run 60,000 km, it's possible that the tension could become too high for the old timing belt (although this is unlikely).
greetings

Hello PowerSound,

I checked at home and found an old inspection plan.
found a solution for the Passat 3B, and it involved checking the tensioner pulley.
Scheduled for 30,000 km. I don't have any more recent information.
but I still believe that it makes sense. The tensioner is not just...
an automatic tensioner, it also has a damping function, which...
Especially for TDI engines, this is very useful due to the strain on the timing belt caused by the electronic diesel pump (EDP).
is. If the prestress is reduced due to the inevitable elongation of the high-voltage cable,
The damping also suffers. I maintain this assessment and review the role annually.
I'm sure it won't hurt. I can't imagine that the...
After a certain period of operation, the ZR may no longer be able to maintain the correct preload, which is more likely...
A preload that is too low is a bad thing.

Hello Jürgen.

Can you please tell me how to properly check and, if necessary, adjust the tension of the timing belt?

Thank you.

Hello Tagessuppe,

Remove the upper timing belt cover - measure the width of the timing belt (wear limit indicated).
in the common repair manuals) and check the tensioner to see if...
Markers match - if not, release the 13th mother.
Loosen the tensioner with the 2-pin key (Hazet) and then re-tension it until...
Markierungen übereinstimmen danach Mutter mit 20nm anziehen. Engine.
Briefly run (start?), check, and possibly relax again.
and re-tension it. It's best to get a repair manual for this - I had...
I always made sure to get this when I acquired a car, and immediately...
Let me start by saying I skimmed through it. For everyday use, especially if you don't have a motor...
'How-to' guides have become quite useful for those who want to disassemble things.

P.S.: If you observe the tensioner roller while the engine is running, you might notice that...
You can clearly see how it absorbs shocks, especially when accelerating.
The rigid tension rollers that VW used to use made things difficult.
It was quite tightly secured, which partly increased the running noise.
'the voltage was not quite correct. There was (and still is!) a...'
Tool for measuring zero-crossing voltage - outrageously expensive!!

Hey! Thanks for this detailed explanation.

I bought this "now I'll help myself" booklet.
It's full of trash.
It only explains how to change the oil and how to mount the tires.
For everything else, please leave this work to the workshop.
Why on earth would I buy a book like that?

Da lob ich mir doch den R.H. Etzolt.
I have 2 manuals for the Mercedes W124 and the VW T3 air-cooled engine.
It includes every screw imaginable, along with the corresponding torque specifications.

When I bought the repair manual, Etzolt hadn't released it yet.
I already believe it.

Best regards.