I just got done putting my engine back together, and the only thing keeping me from finishing is the timing belt. for some insane reason, I can't get the timing belt tensioner loose. I was wondering if there was another way to put the timing belt on, like undoing the excaust cam towers so I can slide the cam gear under the belt, then putting the cam back in. Or do I absolutely have to get my tensioner loose? I've tried using a breaker bar on it, but the socket just comes off of the bolt. its not stripped, but I cant keep the socket on the bolt. the engine is a b18a1 and its in a 89 crx, so I dont have a whole lot of room to work. but if you have any ideas, let me know.

thanks in advance

Nick

 

anybody have any ideas on how I can fix this?

 

are you sure you're trying to undo the right bolt? i don't have my service manual handy but pretty sure it's only supposed to get ~40lb-ft of torque.

the tensioner is inside a grommetted opening in your timing belt cover. it looks sort of like a slightly domed plug below the top driver side mount. make sure you're getting a good bite on the bolt head before you starting going at it with a breaker bar.
if you're sure you have the right bolt and it definitely isn't budging, you need a cheater bar/extension to loosen it.

you have to remove it do it correctly. even if you got the belt off, like by cutting it, you'd still need to tension the new one. if you think you may be at some risk of f*cking something up, take it to a qualified wrench.

 

yes, I'm sure its the right bolt. I just cant get the damn thing loose. and I really dont wanna get my car towed to a shop to get something done that I should be able to do myself since i've done timing belts before.

 

you have to loosen the tensioner to get that belt on correctly cause you have to tighten, loosen, and then retighten the tensioner to do it right.....just keep trying, breaker bar is my friend.....they do seize sometimes so you might have to heat it up and then loosen....i always keep a little braizing torch handy...

 

thanks for the tip