Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Is it normal to have a little movement on the timing belt between the intake cam and the tensioner pulley when revving the motor?

It almost ripples for a split second like a motorcycle chain when revving it, then goes back to normal while keeping a steady rpm, then ripples again before going back to normal when idling. It doesn't move a lot but enough to make me a nervous.

Does any other evo have the same thing? Am I being over paranoid?

Also if it matters I have a gates racing timing belt. It also seems to have normal tension between the two cam gears and between the tensioner pulley and intake came.

Thanks guys!

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Your timing belt doesn't matter, but it sounds like it's not tensioned quite enough. It shouldn't jump at all.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

I wouldn't say it "jumps" more so ripples for just a quick second.

I was talking to Nate at the dyno day and he was saying Hondas tining belts move a lot but it's after they pass the cam gears.

I'll tear into it tomorrow if I have to, just don't want to take it all apart to possibly find out everything is fine.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

If it's not skipping teeth, it's fine.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

If I remember right, the timing belt on my 1g did this and I never had any issues with it.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Honda's will do that because the timing belt tension is fixed, so over time the belt will stretch and then you have slop, and the belt flap between the cam gears is the exhaust cam is trying to turn forward and the intake cam is trying to turn backwards.

This will also be noticed if the motor stops in the right place, the cams will turn into each other and the tensionor will compress. My car likes to do this, so I just turn the cam gears by hand and the slop goes away.

~John

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Thanks for the input Steve!

Glad to hear this, makes me think maybe my issue is normal too.

Thanks John. I don't think it flaps between the two cam gears, just between the tension pulley and the intake cam. I also read that it is normal that depending on where the motor stops to be a bit loose between the cams gears like you said.

Think what I am describing is normal or should I look into it?

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

What is the car, miles on the timing belt parts, is it your DD?

~John

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

It's an 03 evo.

Timing belt has about 3k miles on it, not 100% sure on the rest of it. When I bought the long block the previous owner said the 60k was done just before it was pulled. I'd guess 10k miles tops, it all looked pretty damn new though.

Yep its my daily. I put probably 30ish miles on it today and everything seemed fine. I haven't gone wot on it but seems to be ok so far with no weird noises.

Anybody want to take the top timing cover off their evo, rev it up and see if the belt "ripples" and report back?? Pretty please!

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

I will see if I get time when my wife gets back from work.03 evo with just under 60k and stock Mitsubishi belt. Let you know what I find.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

I dont know if you have resolved this but I finnaly got a chance to look at my wifes and it has a slight bit of movment as rpm changes rapidly up or down but any constant rpm was very stable. Hope that helps.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

That sounds exactly what my car was doing, I guess I was freaking out about nothing.

Thank you very much for checking!

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

No prob. gave me a good chance to look at condition of the belt. getting really close to time for a 60k. that does include cams right? ; )

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdrZAg5Jb08&hd=1&hd=1

Just pulled the top timing cover and seem like there was more movement than before.

Should I be worried?

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

IDK if I asked this before or not, but are you positive you have the timing belt tensioner pulley twisted the correct way? It should be twisted counter-clockwise from full loose.

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

With the motor not running make a video of you pulling up and down on the belt slightly. How far does it move??

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Before I pulled it apart I took a picture and put it back the same way. When the tensioner pulley was loose I pulled up on it (counter clockwise) then got the right tension on the belt tourqed to spec then pulled the pin in the tensioner. Let it sit made sure the pin was still able to go in. Cranked motor over by hand a few times and the pin was still able to go in. Let it sit for an hour and repeated the process and the pin was able to still go in perfectly.

Does that sound like the correct way to do it?

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

You sir did it correct. Is the tentioner new or used?

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJzMg7j4tU&hd=1

That was pushing on it pretty damn hard. I used the tensioner that came on motor when I did my cams, it was supposed to be recently replaced and looked new so I re-used it.

I think Mike is going to come over in a bit so I can compare against something.


Thanks for all the posts guys!

Re: Timing Belt Movement - Normal?
 

Yeah, its tough to gauge how hard your pushing on it but, it looks a tiny bit loose to me. Which would lead me to believe your tentioner might not be newer? How many miles are on the car/motor?