I just replaced my timing and balance shaft belts on my 96 accord. However I cant get the timing belt adjusted correctly.I also replaced both tensioners.How do I remove the freeplay in the timing belt? The belt vibrates back n forth.The car fires right up so Im pretty sure all of the timing marks are correct.

 

I think it should play especially when engine idles. It is not suppose to be like an alternator belt because a load on timing belt isn't constant.

 

Well kind of. The load isn't constant per se but without the engine running there should be very little free play. That's what the tensioner(s) are for. If the tensioner(s) are at max length and there is still free play in the system then something is pretty wrong. The tensioners are designed to take up any slack in the system and keep the loads on the belt relatively constant - that is, when there are extra stresses put on the belt for whatever reason, the tensioner is designed to absorb some of that force and also to provide force when there isn't enough stress. I'm not familiar with belts as I work with chain systems for a living, but I'd assume they're the same.

 

your exactly right....but how do you adjust the tension on the timing belt only?I know you should never hear the belt moving back n forth

 

I have no idea how to do anything with belts, sorry. I can look it up for you at work Monday if you can wait.

 

Belt gets adjusted automatically when you turn crank with a belt on and tension roller loose. When you turn it on 180-360 degrees a tension spring puts proper tension on a belt. After that you should tight a bold on tension roller and you all set.
When I did timing belt on my civic (I'd think that Accord goes same way) I started the engine without timing belt cover and belt was playing a lot at idle RPM on both streams. It was looking better at 1.5k RPM and higher. After I saw that I was under impression that belt wasn't tight enough. I put more tension on roller manually and by sound I could tell that it was wrong. So I set adjustment the way it was first time, put a cover, and just forgot about it for another 100K.

 

TIMING BELT AND TIMING BALANCER BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT

CAUTION: Always adjust timing belt tension with the engine cold.

NOTE:


The tensioner is spring-loaded to apply proper tension to the belt automatically after making the following adjustment.
Always rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise when viewed from the pulley side. Rotating it clockwise may result in improper adjustment of the belt tension.
Inspect the timing balancer belt before adjusting the belt tension.
Do not loosen the adjusting nut more than one full turn.
The original radio has a coded theft protection circuit. Be sure to get the customer's code number before
disconnecting the battery.
removing the No.39 (7.5 A) fuse from the under- hood fuse/relay box.
removing the radio. After service, reconnect power to the radio and turn it on. When the word "CODE" is displayed, enter the customer's 5-digit code to restore radio operation.
Disconnect the battery negative terminal first, then the positive terminal.
Disconnect the alternator terminal and the connector, then remove the engine wire harness from the cylinder head cover.
Remove the cylinder head cover.
Set the No.1 piston at TDC.
Rotate the crankshaft 5-6 revolutions to set the belt.
Set the No.1 piston at TDC.



Loosen the adjusting nut 2/3 - 1 turn.
Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise 3-teeth on the camshaft pulley.
Tighten the adjusting nut.
After adjusting, retorque the crankshaft pulley bolt to 245 N.m (25.0 kgf-m, 181 lbf-ft) .

 

Thanx for all your help. Finally some intelligent responses.I just didnt get the tensioner bolt tighten enough.Once again.....Thanks,
Vic

 

do you have a photo of the second belt, so i can see how it's set?

And can you help me with the PMS marks