cooleeze Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Hello, I took the top timing cover off and started it. I noticed the timing belt seemed quite loose when running. Are they normally loose? somewhat loose? I don't know the history, the timing belt seems to be in good condition but I was hoping to drive from A to B for a couple weeks before doing the timing belt(my other vehicle isn't on the road and I'm in a bit of a bind). Any suggestions would be great!! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 It should NOT be loose. It should be taut through the whole belt path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 do the belt man, you can't tell how used up it is just by looking at it.. i mean it could look great and still be abot to bust and you don't want it busting, believe you me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 You can test the looseness of it with the top cover off. Grab it half way between the 2 cams and twist it, if you can twist it past 90° then it is too loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooleeze Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 Thanks for the responses, Actually when I twist it between the cam gears it dosen't want to go beyond 90 degrees, maybe just seeing the belt movement when running scared me a bit, I don't know. How long of a job dose it usually take doing this timing belt having above average mechanical skills? Just curious. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 If you have the top cover off, your 1/3rd of the way there If you dont know when it was changed last... and your over 60k-110k Change it..... Pull the: Skid Plate Shroud Rad and hoses Fan HB upper and lower cover and your there.... While there, T-stat and water pump.... It is way cheaper than $800 for a JDM delivered to your door..... Then you would get to do all this stuff anyways.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 If you dont know when it was changed last... and your over 60k-110k Change it..... I agree. It isn't a hard job or very time consuming (have done it 3 times, about 3hrs each time). As long as you have all the parts and tools you will need all ready to go before you start, it should go smooth. It helps a lot to have a second set of hands also. The hardest parts are usually the harmonic balancer and the main nut on the crank, the main reason you pull the radiator is to easy the ability to get tools on those parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fondo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 If my memory serves me well, when I did my t-belt (before and after) the belt would loosen and then tighten frequently. This happens because the valve springs put tension on the cam lobes witch in turn makes the the cam pulleys "spring" away from each other. I think it is normal to have a bit of looseness...NO?? Did my belt about 6 months ago and everything is still a go. But changing the belt is never a bad idea regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Yes, the belt should/will flutter to some degree while the engine is running. Tension is checked while engine is off. Plus, grabbing the belt to twist it 90 degrees while it's running can be dramatic. And painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Plus, grabbing the belt to twist it 90 degrees while it's running can be dramatic. And painful. Here, Hold my Beer, This is gonna be Fun!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooleeze Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 hahaha thanks for the responses. I'm going to throw some insurance on it w/o doing it right now. I know, I know it's a gamble but this thing is so rusted out that I almost want to take it out for a bit of wheeling to see if anything else is wrong. I just don't trust it and if it breaks oh well, I traded it for an Xbox 360 to my brother who had it sitting for almost 4 years. I guess I need a reason for throwing more money into it(I'd like to do a few things while doing the timing belt) and a successful wheeling trip will make it(motivate me) or break it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Well, a broken timing belt on our trucks usually will mean the replacement of at least a few valves, if not the heads or even engine. We have an interfearance engine; the valves and pistons play in the same playground, if the bell doesn't ring then they are both at recess at the same time and hurt each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Plus, grabbing the belt to twist it 90 degrees while it's running can be dramatic. And painful. Dude, watch this!! Ok I know you feel the risk is worth it, but even if you only do the belt your just in it a couple hours and about $20 (might also consider a new tensioner if it's just been sitting for 4yrs) If it breaks then it may end up being the same as if you had just taken to hammer to the XBox you traded.. maybe more. The point is, unless your just out the break and dispose of the truck, the risk is... IMO ...not worth it. And if you do mean to just destroy it, then please jusst sell or give it to someone who can get some real use out of it. Less than a day and you assure yourself that the belt should not be an issue. I recommened that your seriously think about it before deciding not to change it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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