Just getting the parts together for replacing the cambelt and water pump on my vRS. Done several on various cars in the past but first time on the Skud. I've got the Haynes Manual and I've read Scudmissile's picture guide (excellent, BTW) but one thing I want to have sure in my mind is setting the tensioner.

As far as I can tell, with the new belt on and the cam and crank sprockets positioned, the tensioner is turned until the pointer lines up with the notch on the back plate, then it is tightened. It might subsequently move back out of line, but that's correct? :yes:

It's not a case of tightening so that when the belt is under tension the pointer and notch line up is it? :no:

It's pretty simple, with the belt on turn the 6mm allen key clockwise until the pointer lines up the lock up with 15mm nut. Then tighten the 13mm bolts on the camshaft pulley and turn over by hand and reinsert cam and crank tools and just double check tension.

The tensioner is sprung loaded so will flick back and forwards as you turn, but when loaded will come back to the correct position.

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Edited 13 June, 201115 yr by Ian M

That was quick, thanks!

So, when all tensioned up, and bolts tightened at the end of the job, turned over and timing checked, the markers are lined up?

They will line up as soon and you put clockwise pressure on if you get me, as soon as tension is relaxed it moves but not by much. It will make sense when your doing it.

So, am I right in thinking that when I take the covers off, the markers on the old tensioner should be lined up?

Similarly with the new belt fitted, stationary and correctly tensioned the markers will be lined up (but will move slightly when the belt is turned/under tension)

Sorry if I'm being a numpty, but this is exactly the bit I can't quite visualise...