Trouble getting new Timing belt on right- Got it!!!

[Fiat88]

I'm trying to wrap up the front engine seal replacement but the timing belt is bringing out Italian expletives . Should I have to pry on the belt to get it over the tensioner pulley bearing? I know the manual says not to but the thats the only way I can get the belt over it. And then when I do get it over the pulley one of the timing marks is always off a tooth like the exhaust cam or the crank. Hope they sent me the right belt. What's the proper way?

[kmead]

Make sure the tensioner is all the way to the left (when facing the engine) before applying the belt. You should be able to lever the tensioner to the left before retightening the hold down bolt.

[Fiat88]

Yeah I levered the tensioner to the left but still need to pry the belt to get it over the bearing pulley. I checked the belt number to the old one and it is the same. So I can lever the tensioner to the left and tighten the nut to keep it there?

[azruss]

loosen the tensioner and move it to the left til it bottoms on the bolt. then tighten it enough for it to hold. the tricky part is stretching the belt. what works for me is the following. make sure the belt is in the crankshaft grooves. pull both side together until they engage the aux shaft pulley. while holding the left side, pull the right side up to the intake cam and make sure it engages the teeth. this may require moving the pulley to get the tooth to drop in. rotate the pulley ccw to remove tension. now stretch to the exhaust and do the same thing. now all the slack should be between the exhaust pulley and the left side of the aux pulley. you should now be able to slide the belt over the tensioner. May require a little nudging from a screwdriver to get it over the tensioner edge.

[divace73]

just a thought, you could have been supplied wrong size belt??

[Fiat88]

Thanks will try that tomorrow!

[vandor]

It's no unusual for a cam pulley to be half a tooth off.

[Fiat88]

With the help of my friend, the timing belt is on. Timing marks are dead on! I spun the crank several times and everything is well. Thx guys!