5sfe timing tensioner won't self adjust

[brad.gib]

I have a 1990 Toyota Celica with a 5sfe in it, the timing adjuster froze up and allow belt to come loose and timing to jump. I replaced all parts and still having same problem. The car was being ran fairly hard when this happened. Has anyone heard of this happening and how to solve the problem

[toyomoho]

I thought the adjusted was bolted down once the belt was installed, the adjuster only moving when the bolt is loose. After you get the belt installed and timing correct. Hand turn the engine over a couple of times CW, then push the pulley against the belt with a bar and tighten the bolt down.

[brad.gib]

why does it have tensioner spings, however I did what you said and it works okay just was wanting to eliminate problems down the road

[toyomoho]

The spring provides tension to snug the belt up. Without the spring, setting up the belt and checking timing (turning the crank with pulley bolt loose) would be difficult.

If in doubt download the Gen_3 Camry service manual at the link below for the 5SFE.

If you look hard there might be a small plastic plug in the front of the timing belt cover. On some make of cars, the timing belt is snugged up again in a certain amount of miles by removing the plug, loosing the bolt, rotating engine and retighting bolt.

Again some owners push the pulley hard against the belt (over coming the spring tension) then snug the bolt down. They state this reduces belt slap.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[brad.gib]

Hey thanks alot for info I understand now, You have been big help. Thanks again