Re: V6 cam belt tensioner

[ethan schartman <eschartman@domain.elided>]

i've gone through 3 mech belt tensioners - the first
went of it's own accord on a cold january day, before
i knew anything about my engine. 

the 2nd broke on installation (i "over-torqued" it).

the 3rd broke while resetting the timing at 6k from
valve replacement (while trying to diagnose a sluggish
response problem i noticed it had skipped a tooth).
this one broke because i let it snap back from the
retracted position.

IAP claims the manufacturer had a bad run and that
they're okay now. IIRC, they said that you could tell
if you got a bum one by noting something about how the
pointer lines up (or fails to) with the mark on the
body. i didn't pay too much attention 'cause i've
decided that a zat style is less ugly than mangled
valves. even if i have to replace the timing belt at
every oil change i'd be coming out under the cost of
replacing valves.

i reckon you could convert back to hydraulic, but
you'd probably need a machinist's help (if you aren't
one yourself).

regards,
ethan schartman
'87 milano gold (ring job nearly complete!)
princeton, NJ
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