Timing Belt Singing

[alan]

I have a 1980 Fiat spider2000. I have a problem with the timing belt singing when it runs. I have replaced every gear and bearing along with a new timing belt and installed it according to the instructions. Even with all that work I still have the same problem. The belt wants to travel towards the engine and rubs causing the singing, I think. Any Ideas? Alan

[majicwrench]

Almost always when a belt sings it is too tight. Have faith it will not slip, and loosen it up a bit. Are you letting the spring tension tighten the belt?? It is not like an alternator belt, the timing belt WILL NOT STRETCH and will almost seem loose when properly installed, esp compared to an alternator belt. TIs wise of you to look into this, a singing belt is gonna fail.
Keith

[bradartigue]

I have a 1980 Fiat spider2000. I have a problem with the timing belt singing when it runs. I have replaced every gear and bearing along with a new timing belt and installed it according to the instructions. Even with all that work I still have the same problem. The belt wants to travel towards the engine and rubs causing the singing, I think. Any Ideas? Alan

I'd assume the tensioner isn't adjusted correctly. Did you follow the procedure in the shop manual on how to initially set it up? I'd run through the adjustment process (no need to remove the belt).

Now, is there any chance you have a phelonic (plastic) cam gear on either side? If so then I take back what I said and blame everything on that gear.

[mbouse]

first off, alan... welcome to the site. You need to take the time to post some pictures of your wonderful 1980 Fiat Spider. Is it carbureted or fuel injected? have you performed any mods, or is it stock? Do you know what, if any mods have been performed by any previous owner(s), or are you the original owner?

Brad hints at why i ask this, as we never know if the car newbie people have are stock, slightly or drastically modified. Inquiring minds would want to know if you have stock cam gears. If so, where is the timing belt rubbing? on the belt keeper of the cam gear? if the belt keeper is missing.... i'm betting someone has replaced a cam gear.

also, whether or not all of the stock parts .. both plastic and stamped steel are in place would be very helpful to know in analyzing this issue. it is possible that the sheet metal shroud is bent and causing the noise. did you replace the lower dust shield when you installed the belt?

secondly, what song is the belt singing? I've never experienced a singing timing belt before. is it in key? or, like me does it have trouble with holding a key, any key? even a roller skate key.

[So Cal Mark]

belts can sing, heck even highways sing now. Honda designed a musical highway in Lancaster, close to Ron.

[rlux4]

I haven't run across that road Mark, but my wife may have. She's come back from several trips lately, and one of her tires
B-flat.
Ron

[Tappy]

you guys should organise a car-aoke

[rlux4]

Well, son of a gun. Our musical road made front page of MSN.com! The neew one they are going to make is one alphabet letter from me (east/west roads here are alphabetic: A-B-C-D, etc., one mile apart) The new one is going to be on "G", I'm on H-2.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27251105/?GT1=43001
Rson

[mbouse]

o.k. what is the economic justification in spending taxpayer money in this manner?

[So Cal Mark]

Ron has contributed so much to the local economy, they can afford it. Besides, Lancaster needed another tourist draw besides the famous potato salad

[mbouse]

hey, ron. do you still have some of that tater-salad?

[So Cal Mark]

and if you have any, have you taught it to sing?

[rlux4]

Mike, accoding to the article, the boys in the puzzle palace of city hall decided that the one built for the Honda commercial and subsequently covered over was so popular, this new one would be a tourist draw. Probably bring people from all over the country to play the William Tell Overture with thier cars. High Ho Silver, Away!
Mark, my contribution to the local ecomomy is to wait for Tuesdays for "Twofer Tuesday"; two pieces of Popeye chicken for 99 cents. And that gives me a whole week to scrape up the 99 cents! Tater salad will be served at Best of France and Italy BBQ.
Ron