Belt Tensioner

[cayvman]

Trying to change the water pump this morning and all prepared, however, when it came to the belt tensioner, nothing happens. I first turned the 24mm bolt counter-clockwise (don't know if this contributed to the problem), then I went to the Bentley book and discovered that you turn the bolt clockwise. Did that and nothing appears to happen. I think I notice a slight release of tension but not enough to remove the belt. Anyone out there today, Saturday June13th that could offer any help suggestions on what may be the problem and how to overcome this would be greatly appreciated.

2002 Boxster S.

Thanks,

Joe

[pk2]

Joe,

Took me awhile to figure that one out and unless something is screwed up it should work as I describe. I also did it 2 yrs ago so I may not have it right.

The main trick, you are not unscrewing anything to loosen up the mechanism, when you crank that bolt (c.w. I think) you are actually turning the whole tensioner assembly. Give the wrench a good pull and the tensioner assem will pivot at the bolt and rotate (with tension) out of the way. Turning the bolt with the wrench is just putting a lever on against the tensioner spring.

You may need a breaker bar, a pipe that slips down over the handle of your wrench to add leverage. I seem to remember using that or a crow bar back there but I was dealing with a different issue so they may not have anything to do with your task.

Good luck, PK

Hope that help

Edited June 13, 2009 by pk2

[cayvman]

Joe,

Took me awhile to figure that one out and unless something is screwed up it should work as I describe. I also did it 2 yrs ago so I may not have it right.

The main trick, you are not unscrewing anything to loosen up the mechanism, when you crank that bolt (c.w. I think) you are actually turning the whole tensioner assembly. Give the wrench a good pull and the tensioner assem will pivot at the bolt and rotate (with tension) out of the way. Turning the bolt with the wrench is just putting a lever on against the tensioner spring.

You may need a breaker bar, a pipe that slips down over the handle of your wrench to add leverage. I seem to remember using that or a crow bar back there but I was dealing with a different issue so they may not have anything to do with your task.

Good luck, PK

Hope that help

[cayvman]

PK,

It's not that the bolt was tight, I could get it to turn, it's that the tensioner didn't move. I did get it to finally move. Did it the caveman method, took a rubber mallet and got it to spring to the left and was able to remove the belt. Hope I'm able to get the tension back when I finish the job.

Thanks for your pointers.

Joe

[cayvman]

I guess my initial counter clockwise turning of the tensioner was the culprit. It loosened the back nut of the tensioner enough so that when I was turning the outside bolt clockwise the nut was turning. Once the light went on in me noggin of what was goin on and I tightened the back nut, the tensioner work as designed. Hope my experience may help someone else.