Help needed with timing belt tensioner on 1.2 16v
Discussion
Just changed the timing belt, tensioner and water pump on my girlfriend's Mk2 Punto 1.2 16v. However, for the life of me, I can't figure-out how to correctly tension the belt using the tensioner.
The tensioner is on an eccentric with a spring-loaded centre hub and 2 small holes through which you insert a tool to adjust tension. Sounds easy, but with it actually on the car, it's not making any sense!
See the video below to get a clearer idea of what I'm talking about; without the bolt tightened-down, if I try to adjust the tensioner using those 2 small holes, the entire tensioner moves (not the spring-loaded bit). The nut passes through the same piece of metal as the 2 holes are in, so obviously if I tighten that down, I can't move the tensioner at all using the 2 holes. However, I can 'manually' move the sprung hub with my fingers, but any movement of the spring-loaded bit would take tension off the belt, so how are you supposed to achieve decent tension in the first place?
I've done timing belts before, but never encountered this issue before. Any help appreciated as I can't finish the job until I've figured this out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RTOTM3nR0
The tensioner is on an eccentric with a spring-loaded centre hub and 2 small holes through which you insert a tool to adjust tension. Sounds easy, but with it actually on the car, it's not making any sense!
See the video below to get a clearer idea of what I'm talking about; without the bolt tightened-down, if I try to adjust the tensioner using those 2 small holes, the entire tensioner moves (not the spring-loaded bit). The nut passes through the same piece of metal as the 2 holes are in, so obviously if I tighten that down, I can't move the tensioner at all using the 2 holes. However, I can 'manually' move the sprung hub with my fingers, but any movement of the spring-loaded bit would take tension off the belt, so how are you supposed to achieve decent tension in the first place?
I've done timing belts before, but never encountered this issue before. Any help appreciated as I can't finish the job until I've figured this out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RTOTM3nR0
My 8v 1.2 has exactly the same device. I just use a breaker bar as a lever to press it against the belt until it's tight then do up the nut whilst holding the tension with the bar.
General rule of thumb with cambelts is to try twisting it with your fingers at the longest point in the run between pulleys, if it goes past 90 degrees it's too loose, if it won't go to 90 degrees it's too tight.
General rule of thumb with cambelts is to try twisting it with your fingers at the longest point in the run between pulleys, if it goes past 90 degrees it's too loose, if it won't go to 90 degrees it's too tight.
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