Just doing my valves ( thanks guys for the very helpful details) and noticed my new cam belt ( 5k miles) had a line marked in it length wise...very unusual...then when I looked further there were tiny bits of metal glistening in the cam pulley area. Whats happened is the tensioner spring has slipped off the pulley rest and dug in and rested on the pulley itself causing a groove to be worn on the pulley...hence the marks on the belt.! When fitting the pulley I remember thinking the spring was very short...has the tip of the spring that rests on the pulley rest broken off? Why is it so short? Once the cam belt has been tensioned by the spring against the pulley and the two retaining bolts locked off, does the spring actually do anything>? Ta as ever NikBild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Here's a pic of mine - plenty of clearance. I can't imagine the spring has snapped - is it on back to front?

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Also, as you expected, the spring is just for the initial tension - once the pulley's done up, the spring has no effect. It's still not something you want going on though.

Great picky! I inherited the truck from someone else so the original may have changed. Ive tried reversing the spring but it sits worse. My spring sits slightly further out than yours. There is a washer behind the spring next to the crankcase in mine. I don't think this is correct. Is the washer supposed to be on the outside next to the nut allowing the spring to move in slightly? This would help. TaNik

the washer is on the wrong side and the spring aint in the right place

Yeh, i see what you mean re washer.. With the washer on the outside that helps to keep the spring arm closer to the tensioner rest. I appreciate the spring arm should not be resting on the pulley if thats what you mean. Its like the spring arm is 5mm too short.
i'll give it a go again over the weekend. Ta Nik

Quote: Nik Rite wrote in post #5

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Yeh, i see what you mean re washer.. With the washer on the outside that helps to keep the spring arm closer to the tensioner rest. I appreciate the spring arm should not be resting on the pulley if thats what you mean. Its like the spring arm is 5mm too short.
i'll give it a go again over the weekend. Ta Nik

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Is mine not set up the same way as Heathens. Is that not correct? Go one put me out of my pain!!

no idea all i know is the flat on ur spring should be left facing down on the pad

From what I can see, Heathens and mine are set up as per the picture gallery. Can you find any photos or draw a diagram?? Nik

those pictures i just looked at both look nothing alike try looking again with your correct glasses on

How much does the spring stick out of the peg on the engine cover (left) side? can't see it in your pic - but if it's more than 1-2mm then the spring is on backwards.

Ive enclosed photo....thoughts?
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Might be a bit clearer!
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If it were mine, I'd replace the spring. The other thing that could cause this rather than the end snapping off, is a loss of tensile strength (work hardening), so that it's coiled up more than it should be - this would make it shorter in exactly the same way and would be very hard to spot.

Done! £6 ordered ...in tomorrow Ta

Quote: Nik Rite wrote in post #13

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Might be a bit clearer!

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Yeh got that, that was my initial problem. Heathen's put me right re washer ta nic

In theory you could have it without the spring. Once the belt is tensioned and the bolts tightened it is redundant so if you think you can tension the belt by feel then go for it. As long as all 3 points of the tensioner are secured.

I know I could do it but I have 26 years experience as a vehicle tech.

my spring was weak last time i did the belt change I had to give it a helping hand!

Done,,,got a new spring.It felt totally different. Thanks re orientation of spring. Only 2 milli extending on the rest and the washer on the outside. I put both the tensioner bolts in place backed off one turn. The spring I tensioned with a set of mole grips and put it on the cam rest and everything worked out fine. Ta guys

nice one fella well done