New problem with timing belt install from hell- moaning noise

[clydesdale]

This is the 3rd time I have done the timing belt on this car. The other 2 times were a breeze. This one has been hell. I now can get the car started, but there is a moaning noise from the engine. So, I removed each belt and the fan and the moaning is still there. It is rpm dependent and you can hear it at idle. I replaced the cam seal, belt and tensioner. Could something be rubbing under the cover? What can be the source? I thought it would be a belt for sure, then I thought it could be the water pump, but that is new and it still moans with the belt off anyway. So, what is the next likely culprit?

[scottinAZ]

timing belt is too tight

[clydesdale]

Doesn't the tensioner take care of that? I hooked the spring to the tensioner and water pump. I thought it self adjusts? Thanks.

[scottinAZ]

it should be self adjusting, but check it anyways. If the timing belt is singing, it wont last very long. I normally dont trust self tensioners, and if its singing, back it off a bit (been bit like that before)

[clydesdale]

Do I need to get to remove the bottom cover to get to the tensioner or just the top portion of the cover? I forget.

[scottinAZ]

should just have to remove the top cover, no need to remove the crank pulley or the other crap (WP pulley maybe)

[clydesdale]

Scott, thanks for your help. Isn't the lower bolt for the tensioner the long bolt that the bottom cover attaches too? The more I think about it, wouldn't I have to remove the lower cover to get to the lower bolt and to remove the cover I think I need to remove the damn crankshaft pulley and damper. Am I thinking about this wrong?

[scottinAZ]

it will pivot on that bolt, though most of the time you can get a wrench in there to do what you need to do. More I think of it, you may have to pull the lower cover. sorry for the shitty information.....

[clydesdale]

What I am worried about is that I don't know how the heck I can make it too tight, if the tensioner is what determines how tight it is?

[Sagaris]

The only way that I can see it being too tight is running the revised Z127 tensioner with the old style 126 tooth belt. I am pretty certain the 126 tooth tensioner and belt have been discontinued unless you got that one timing belt that has sat on the top shelf of Frankie's Auto Barn since 1987

[clydesdale]

Bavarian Autosport is telling me that it is likely because it is a Goodyear belt. I have always used continental. Now, Bavauto is using Goodyear and they say they have gotten some complaints like this for the first 1000-1500 miles. What do you think of that?
When I saw it was Goodyear, I questioned that, but never thought that could be a problem. He is willing to sell me a new Continental belt, but it won't get here for a week or so and then I can return the Goodyear. What do you make of this?

[Sagaris]

Thanks for sharing the info about the complaints with Goodyear belts. Was your timing belt a royal PITA to slip over the sprockets+tensioner or did it go on with relative ease? I have always used Continental belts and they have always gone on relatively easily as long as you are slipping things on in the right order. I am wondering if the Goodyear belts are just a tiny bit shorter in length or if they are less elastic in tension. Timing belts arent supposed to be very elastic, but perhaps the Continental belt is just a bit more compliant and the stress of the tensioned belt is distributed through the belt itself moreso than on the pulleys and bearings that it wraps around.

Just a speculation.

[clydesdale]

It was tight to get on, that is for sure. But it went on without cursing up a storm. Now what though. Do I trust him and run it, or do I swap the friggin thing out. The bitch is, I will have to wait a week or so to get it, then install it on that weekend. So, we could be looking at 2 weeks before the damn car is on the road. What to do?

[LJ851]

It was tight to get on, that is for sure. But it went on without cursing up a storm. Now what though. Do I trust him and run it, or do I swap the friggin thing out. The bitch is, I will have to wait a week or so to get it, then install it on that weekend. So, we could be looking at 2 weeks before the damn car is on the road. What to do?

A decent local imported car parts store should be able to get you a conti tech belt kit in one day. I can in Atlanta. I wouldn't use anything else personally, its just not a place to gamble .

[nando]

I have noticed that the newer belts, from both conti and others, seem tighter than they used to be.