Cambelt tension tool

Fulltiming Felines

Fulltiming Felines

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I was going to get my cambelt changed at Dave Newell in West Midlands but they said they couldn't find the tool for setting the tension on the belt.

1991 Hymer 534 Fiat 280 1.9 TD

Any help? I'd still like to have it done at Dave's since we're nearby, so ideally I'd like be able to get this tool. If not, will have it done somewhere else in southeast England.
 
Are you talking about a gauge that measures belt tension or some tool required to set the tensioner on the belt...
I didnt think many places bothered with the tension gauge for cam belts...ive never used one on the belts ive done but times may have changed... if i remember correctly they gauged the belt tension in some weird units like seems that id never heard of...
Would have thought that the correct belt with the tensioner working properly would be all that was needed..
Andy.
 
daveandsan said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-V...-Kit-Fiat-Alfa-1-7-1-9-Cam-Belt-/121806632573
Is it this by any chance.
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No that is the locking kit for locking the pump , crank, cam shaft in place while belt is cahnged. I made my own. I have no tool for tensioning the belt just do it by experience as to how tight.
andy63 said:
Are you talking about a gauge that measures belt tension or some tool required to set the tensioner on the belt...
I didnt think many places bothered with the tension gauge for cam belts...ive never used one on the belts ive done but times may have changed... if i remember correctly they gauged the belt tension in some weird units like seems that id never heard of...
Would have thought that the correct belt with the tensioner working properly would be all that was needed..
Andy.
Click to expand...
With this type it is the older type of manual tensioner that has to be held in tension whilst the tensioner nut is tightened.
 
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When I used to do my Ducati i used a fishing scale, think it was a 15 pound pull that set it to the correct tension.

The problem I have with the twist method is i have a fair old grip and easily have the tension too high :rolleyes:
 
Warranty claims
it's not really the workshops that foot the bill in the case if faulty workmanship
Garage insurance kicks in if they have it
Faulty parts or belts it the suppliers insurance that will kick in if they have any
in either case Insurance will send Engineering Consultant to inspect working practice and inspect tension and setting tools used
Your smaller garage or DIY may not bother with such trivalities and prefer to talk there way out of responsabilities
The Engineer will also decide if other non related componants have failed causing the damage not related to the cam belt change. And yes it does happen.
in that instance its your problem not the workshops however distastefull that may seem.

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For this particular engine there is a special tool for setting the correct tension on the belt. Yes it could be done without the tool but if the belt subsequently failed because it was over or under tensioned it would become my problem. As the op is about to tour Europe in this motorhome I'm not prepared to take the risk of having to arrange recovery from a foreign country in the event of a failure. I've tried all avenues to locate this tool but with no success, three local tool specialists have failed to locate one as has the local fiat agent.

D.
 
A lot of these "critical settings" are in reality not that critical as made out its more a setting to stop idiots going too far one way or the other . Its surprising how far out tensions and torques actually are in real world due to many factors . I am not saying that specs should be ignored !
 
This company in S. Africa seem to have them in stock, although not OEM. I don't know how much 810 ZAR is in old money though, or even if they'll ship to the UK!

http://lancia.co.za/parts/1860745100

(States for Lancia, but same Fiat part no.)

Must admit though, I'd go by the 90 degree thumb and forefinger twist test!
 
Deneb said:
This company in S. Africa seem to have them in stock, although not OEM. I don't know how much 810 ZAR is in old money though, or even if they'll ship to the UK!

http://lancia.co.za/parts/1860745100

(States for Lancia, but same Fiat part no.)

Must admit though, I'd go by the 90 degree thumb and forefinger twist test!
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A professional mechanic/garage cant afford to take the chance they will do it properly with the right tools or decline job which is what dave newell is doing reputation to think of as well.

DIY yes you can take a chance and gamble i'd do the same and turn engine a couple of times and recheck tension

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mfw said:
A professional mechanic/garage cant afford to take the chance they will do it properly with the right tools or decline job which is what dave newell is doing reputation to think of as well.

DIY yes you can take a chance and gamble i'd do the same and turn engine a couple of times and recheck tension
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Of course that is correct. I must make a note to stop including throwaway comments in my posts!
 
Deneb said:
Of course that is correct. I must make a note to stop including throwaway comments in my posts!
Click to expand...

Tool supplier was good to look at and probably buy - but as you know professional business cant afford to take a chance - not with view to guaranteeing their work and the disrespect they will get with faulty workmanship.

Like you though i would go diy got enough tools
 
dave newell lvs said:
For this particular engine there is a special tool for setting the correct tension on the belt. Yes it could be done without the tool but if the belt subsequently failed because it was over or under tensioned it would become my problem. As the op is about to tour Europe in this motorhome I'm not prepared to take the risk of having to arrange recovery from a foreign country in the event of a failure. I've tried all avenues to locate this tool but with no success, three local tool specialists have failed to locate one as has the local fiat agent.

D.
Click to expand...
Thats the answer you want to hear from someone doing an important job for you not a I'll have a go and bodge it
 
Was always taught that twisting belt to check can cause problems and eventually contribute to belt failure. Where a specific tension tool or part is required use it, if not required then check by observing amount of deflection of belt assuming figure is known.
 
Deneb said:
This company in S. Africa seem to have them in stock, although not OEM. I don't know how much 810 ZAR is in old money though, or even if they'll ship to the UK!

http://lancia.co.za/parts/1860745100

(States for Lancia, but same Fiat part no.)

Must admit though, I'd go by the 90 degree thumb and forefinger twist test!
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that I'd forgotten what the thing looked like.

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I always thought it was tighten till you hit middle "C" :)
 
An interesting explanation on Fiat Forum, but still no luck on getting the tool:

The said Tensioning tool is a weight/lever type which I doubt you would find anywhere these days I would guess most mechanics these days wouldn't know what they were looking at & if they had one its probably been chucked it out with the rubbish!
Attachments show what the tool looks like (number 10) & specs to use on the 1.9TD, again there are two different specs depending on engine number.
Not much help I know unless someone knows what the 120mm weight position is in ft-lb / N/m? also -
Click to expand...
 
Yes it is just a cranked dog leg bar with a movable weight for the 2 different engines. As he said the chances of finding someone with one is akin to winning the lottery jackpot 2 night s running.
I did look at 2 suppliers over here the other night but no luck.
 

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