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Old 04-19-2021, 07:44 AM   #1
jonvia1234
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Default timing belt issues. Need guidance

hello, I have a 2015 sti I am having issues with. It is an outfront motorsports built closed deck block, built heads (cams,retainers, and ect) I'm running the RCM high grip tensioner setup with an hks belt. Whenever I go to time it, the belt seems maybe too tight? Every video I've watched, or guide ive looked up shows the belt being easy to slide over the pass side cam gears, with no prying or muscling the belt on. I cannot get the belt to go over both cam gears on the pass side. The only way I can get them both on is to remove the top idler puley (one next to crank sprocket on pass side) But then if i do it that way, the bottom idler pulley requires prying to even get the bolt started... I dont know what's going on. The crank sprocket is lined up perfect. The drivers side is lined up perfectly, with no slack anywhere except for where the tensioner is. Im stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-19-2021, 07:46 AM   #2
jonvia1234
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I've watched every video, looked up about every guide for doing the timing belt..... It seems no-one has had my issue before. Cant find anything like my issue at all when I search
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Old 04-19-2021, 08:03 AM   #3
moral hazard
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Last time I did the timing belt I followed this method:
https://youtu.be/JfjG4BCiTTY?t=610

Not sure if that helps.
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Old 04-19-2021, 09:01 AM   #4
vanman23
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Default timing belt issues. Need guidance

The pin is in the tensioner, correct?

I’ve done 6 timing belts in the last 6 months multiple times in two engines. I put the lower idler on very loosely, maybe just a few threads. Make sure you push the tensioner up so you get some slack. After belt is on, I put the small top idler on and tighten all the bolts but not to spec yet. I then pull the tensioner pulley pin and check that everything is ok. I lastly torque to spec.
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Old 04-19-2021, 10:05 AM   #5
pigboat_2
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I'm using the old school 90s Subaru tensioner on my engine. The tensioner holes are elongated so you leave the bolts a bit loose so the tensioner can slide back and forth while you install the belt. Then you leverage the tensioner all the way to the passenger side of the motor with a prybar/screwdriver and tighten the bolts down. Then pull the pin.

On ones that have given me trouble I leave the bottom smooth idler off until the belt is on everywhere else and then install it last.
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Old 04-19-2021, 08:13 PM   #6
AliBenn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vanman23 View Post
The pin is in the tensioner, correct?

I’ve done 6 timing belts in the last 6 months multiple times in two engines. I put the lower idler on very loosely, maybe just a few threads. Make sure you push the tensioner up so you get some slack. After belt is on, I put the small top idler on and tighten all the bolts but not to spec yet. I then pull the tensioner pulley pin and check that everything is ok. I lastly torque to spec.
This^^^^^
String belt around all pulleys/sprockets
Then lastly around the lowest pulley on the engine with that pulley bolt hand tightened (a few threads as vanman says)
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Old 04-19-2021, 09:09 PM   #7
jonvia1234
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the pin is in the tensioner yes. Its the old style tensioner (that's what the RCM tensioner uses) I tried wrapping the belt around the drivers side first and then working to the pass side, but the lower exhaust cam gear would be close to one tooth off every time.. And I also use the method of installing the bottom idler last idk what im doing wrong. Hmmm pigboat, I have not tried that yet. I did try loosening the bolts to give it more slack, but if I remember right its maxed out and has no more room to slide over. I will have to look at it again soon and try the methods suggested.
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Old 04-19-2021, 09:09 PM   #8
jonvia1234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moral hazard View Post
Last time I did the timing belt I followed this method:
https://youtu.be/JfjG4BCiTTY?t=610

Not sure if that helps.
ill go and watch that video! I need all the tips I can get before this engine drives me insane
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Old 04-20-2021, 07:48 AM   #9
jonvia1234
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so do you guys do it any particular way? I have found its easier to start with the drivers side pulleys because they are the "spring loaded" ones. or should i do pass side first, or does it even matter lol
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Old 04-20-2021, 09:56 AM   #10
pigboat_2
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You're not using a cam lock tool for the driver cams are you?

I've had there be too much slack between those two gears and I needed to adjust them so there was slack elsewhere in the belt when it was too tight.

If you're not using a cam lock tool I typically do the driver cams first and then the passenger.
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Old 04-24-2021, 01:02 AM   #11
AliBenn
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A cam lock(drvr side) elevates tons of curse words
Now can be done without one
I did it
Took me 12 times thou
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