[alfa] GTV6 Belt Tensioner

["Dave Mericle" <veloce@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks all for belt tensioner procedures!  I had installed the mechanical
tensioner originally but had lost the set-up procedures.  True confessions and
full disclosure follows - belt slipping has ocurred on this engine three or
four separate times with NO valve damage.  Perhaps I am a certain lottery
winner!  The first time ocurred after a professionally rebuilt and installed
hydraulic tensioner during a water pump and a/c compressor change.  Preventive
maintenance strikes again - should have left well enough alone.  The engine
would start but not go above idle.  Checked the timing and it was off.
Re-timed the motore and it ran fine.  Same thing again - re-timed the motore
and off I go.  Happened once more but I had run out of distributor adjustment
by this time.  Light bulb goes off in the balloon over my head.  Checked the
cam timing and it was way off.  Installed the mechanical tensioner myself and
had no problems until recently after a water pump professional replacement
when the pro re-set the tensioner saying that I had set it up too tight (I
think - not 100% sure whether too tight or too loose).  I had set the
tensioner up originally very carefully to the specified torque using both beam
and click type torque wrenches.  Slipping occurred this last time after a
backfire popped the big hose from the AFM to the plenum.

Question 1 - Why does this keep happening?  Especially with no valve damage.
Question 2 - Is the hydraulic tensioner inherently bad?  If so, why?  Only
leaking?
Question 3 - Are there two different types of mechanical tensioners?  If so,
which is best and where do you get the better one?
Question 4 - How do I reverse the hard locking loctite that I used?  Heat?

Thanks again - Cheers and ciao,

Dave Mericle the Elder
Leucadia, CA  BEACH-N-RIDES
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