Aftermarket October 2022

K nowing how to set up timing systems when you are working on them is vital, but according to Darren Spooner, Gates Corporation Regional Sales Manager — UK & Ireland, Automotive Replacement, not everyone understands how things are set up: “Some mechanics assume an automatic tensioner adjusts everything in the timing belt drive system automatically. In fact, the tensioners still need to be set up correctly and the pointers must still be aligned correctly. For example, in many older cars and most of the latest vehicles fitted with an automatic tensioner in the timing belt drive, the camshaft sprockets must be loose when tension is being set. Failure to loosen the camshaft sprockets where specified can lead to comebacks, spelling disastrous consequences for the engine, the customer, and the garage’s reputation. “A locking tool keeps the engine at the proper position during timing belt installation. Loosening the camshaft sprockets allows the pulleys room to move. This enables tension to be applied uniformly throughout the timing belt 34 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2022 TIMING SYSTEMS www.aftermarketonline.net KEEPING GOOD TIME With engines more finely balanced than ever, making sure that timing systems are properly serviced has never been more important system. If the camshaft sprockets remain fixed, correct timing belt tension can only be applied to one side of the drive system — the tensioner side. The other side will be incorrectly tensioned. Even though the pointers line up, the overall tension is off. This causes premature drive system failure and, potentially, catastrophic engine damage. It is an expensive and unnecessary error.” Fig. 1