Timing belt rubbing the tensioner

[VDubbinIt]

At least, I think it's the tensioner. Anyway, I just got my car back from the shop where they reset my timing and checked into an issue I was having with my power steering. Luckily, it was just the belt, which they replaced. First thing I noticed was a high pitch whirring sound that got higher and lower with the rpm's. Once I her home I took a look and noticed that the timing belt is rubbing against what I think is the tensioner, like it's not wide enough or something. I'd like to know if this is bad.. I'm guessing it's bad for the timing belt to rub on anything. Also, I feel like the timing belt is tight. How much movement should there be?

This is a close up where you can see where the belt is rubbing.

[Calimus]

The whirring is possibly the tensioner putting too much pressure on the belt (aka, the belt is too tight). That puts pressure on the tensioner bearing and that makes a noise similar to a supercharger. There is actually supposed to be some deflection in the timing belt. It's not supposed to be super tight.

I'll come back to this tomorrow and explain better unless brian beats me to it. Right now, I have a slamming headache and I have to be up for work in 5 hours or I'd load you down with the info.

[VDubbinIt]

Thanks. I had a feeling that the belt was too tight. I'll see if I can find how to loosen it a bit without throwing the whole thing off.

[Briano1234]

The whirring is possibly the tensioner putting too much pressure on the belt (aka, the belt is too tight). That puts pressure on the tensioner bearing and that makes a noise similar to a supercharger. There is actually supposed to be some deflection in the timing belt. It's not supposed to be super tight.

I'll come back to this tomorrow and explain better unless brian beats me to it. Right now, I have a slamming headache and I have to be up for work in 5 hours or I'd load you down with the info.

Between the Intermediate shaft, and the Cam, there is to be almost but not quite a 1/2 flex of the timing belt at mid point using 2 fingers to twist the belt, any more and it is tooo tight...

The problem is that after you replace the belt and initially tension it, after setting the tension, then you need to rotate the belt a couple of times to measure the twist.

See:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3256408

[VDubbinIt]

Between the Intermediate shaft, and the Cam, there is to be almost but not quite a 1/2 flex of the timing belt at mid point using 2 fingers to twist the belt, any more and it is tooo tight...
.

In that case, it's not too tight.

I've been looking through the Bentley and I believe its the crankshaft sprocket - whatever the black thing is (if you know, please enlighten me - I can't find it) that covers it is too close to the belt.

[Briano1234]

here is how one of mine is running

[VDubbinIt]

Ok, took another picture. Can I just barely loosen this or will that throw off my timing again?

[Briano1234]

You can loosen any "V" belt, and it won't effect timing.

If you are talking about loosening the main timing belt, then that may effect timing.

[VDubbinIt]

Ok, that's probably what I'm going to do then. In the picture above your last post, which bolts should I loosen? The one big one in the center and the four smaller ones around it, or just one or the other?

[Briano1234]

Which belt are you trying to adjust?

Crank-Waterpump-A/C compressor?
Compressor to Alternator?
Crank to Power Steering pump?

[Briano1234]

If you look at your post with the arrow, that is the main CRANK...

The 19 mm 6point bolt has about 100lbs of torque applied to it.
The 4 other bolts hold the 2 crank pulleys to the main timing pulley. DO NOT LOOSEN ANY OF THEM. THEY ARE NOT YOUR ISSUE.

The torques on the main crank bolt are as follows.

12point bolt w/o washer 66ft/lbs + 1/2 turn.
Hex (6) sided bolt 111 ft/lbs.

[VDubbinIt]

So basically just loosen the one big nut on the crank and it'll only pull it out a smidge to give the timing belt over the crank sprocket a little more room? I just want to be sure so I don't screw it up when I just got it fixed.
I have a torque wrench that I'll use to check it.

Thanks, I've almost given up on this car but the guy at the shop gave me a deal (I needed wheel bearings done too).

[Briano1234]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

That isn't what controls the Belt..... If you try to pull it out a smidgen, it will go right back when you tighten it.

The Intermediate shaft or the tensioner drives the pullies and the belt.
The Tensioner is lipped to keep the belt in play. If the Belt isn't driving over the Cam pulley but to the left or right of center, then let it ride..........

I would watch the belt as the engine spins to see if it is tracking straight or wobbling.

You have to remember that the Idler pulley is the weak part of the chain, as it is only held in my a bolt.
I would suspect that you may have better luck in tweaking that, than trying to adjust a wide GEAR on a Large Keyed Shaft.

But my advise, let it ride.......................

[VDubbinIt]

Gotcha.. I misread your post. Its late.

It just sounds bad. I'm also just afraid of it damaging the timing belt.

[eric4321]

I can't tell from your pics but one issue I have run into is if you turn the timing belt tensioner the wrong way it will rub the timing belt cover (the lower plastic one. To check for that leave the top cover off and turn the engine by hand (ratchet and socket on the CRANK pully) and you will hear it rub. Also if you were on a budget the shop may not have changed the tensioner which should be changed with the belt and your noise could be that. If you run it like that you will destroy the belt.