mk 3 16v cambelt fitting

[notnowkato]

wotcha all you clever people out there it states in the haynes manual that i need a special tool to get the correct tension on my new cambelt and tensioner kit that im about to fit on my 16v mk3 abf code golf  , is this needed or is there a relevant expert to show me the ropes ? CHEERS KATO

[danny_p]

spectial tool........ thats bollox

its spring loaded tensioner, correct tension is when the two lines line up. to "adjust it there are meany ways useing allen keys or plyers

[oakgreengolf]

with the belt on the longest run you should just be able to twist it through 90 degrees

[notnowkato]

thank you so kind . kato

[rubjonny]

oaky its 45degrees on a 16v engine, and thats only valid on the earlier non self adjusting tensioner types.  The probel with the self-tensioning tensioners is the holes are quite shallow, so you have to take more care with the old allen key/ bent fork method.  I got a proper tool for cheapy which makes it much easier.

edit: oh and you can sweap to the earlier cheaper tenioner if you swap the stud & nut over from an older 8v/16v engine. Given the choice I'd go for the self-tensioner tho, you know its always gonna be spot on then.

[danny_p]

i have the tool just 50% of the time i've done it before can be arsed to get it off the shelf