Noisy cam belt - When is the cambelt too tight?

husselmn · Post by **husselmn** » Mon Aug 19, 2002 11:11 am

Hi All

I replaced my cambelt a while ago, but the workshop never tightened it properly. It was very loose, I mean very loose. I could twist it past 180 degrees.

So last weekend I showed it to a friend's dad, who is a veteran mechanic. He was horrofied. :O He tightened it for me, but now the cambelt makes a very load humming sound. I cannot twist the cam belt 90 degrees, more like 30.

How easy can the belt break if it is too tight? How tight should it be? Isn't the humming noise maybe normal for a new belt? (I doubt it 'cause it'e pretty load, embarrasingly load!)

Please, I fear for the moment it will break. Had to let a 325 BMW pass yesterday. I never do that, never have to

Post by **panic-mechanic** » Mon Aug 19, 2002 11:56 am

Yeah being too tight will break a belt very quickly. Have it sorted asap. The whining noise is typical of a belt that is way too tight. Pop into your nearest VW or specialist and sort it out.

VW MAN · Post by **VW MAN** » Mon Aug 19, 2002 12:18 pm

Hi

I thk thts WAY TOO tite man....U gnna run the bearing on cam tensioner as well if u dnt srt it out ASAP..
My friend is qualified VW mech...The most he sets my cam
belt is 90 degrees.....Take no chancers or else u gnna bend valves if tht belt snaps!!

Hope ths helps

Cheers