URGENT: Timing belt loose?

[robomatic12]

So I'm detailing my car today and give the timing belt a little wiggle because I run no covers. I noticed I could wiggle it a little bit more than usual and I can actually rotate the upper idler pulley by hand. This is definetely wrong right?

WTF could have happened?

[nissanfreak12]

Could the tensionr have taken a dump? Even if it stretched out that much, the tensioner makes that up, but if the plunger just gave out that would mean the belt loosens up way too much. Since you have the covers off see if its flush instead of having that space in between.

[robomatic12]

The weird thing is the belt is only 10,000kms old. I bumped the starter over and now the slack is gone, I guess the tensioner did its job? I took a pic of the amount the tensioner is out, is this too much?:

[marty1mc]

It's normal for the timing belt to have both slack and tension. As the motor turns and the camshaft moves through it's various lobes opening valves, it will cause tension. As it recovers, the belt will gain some slack. Check the belt at TDC, make sure the tensioner is still set at 4mm (spec is 3.5mm to 5mm). If your tension is at spec, you are fine.

[nissanfreak12]

It looks fine especially at 10,000km, but thats eyeballing it as you did. Measuring it as marty said is the best idea. Maybe have someone turn it while you look at the tensioner see what happens. But even with slack in the belt you shouldn't have enough slack to be able to move the pulley. Thats territory for slipping a tooth and possibly ruining your engine. If I am wrong here, which I have been before, please someone chime in..

Could have just been a freak occurrance, I wish I could help you more.

[robomatic12]

I think it is too, I'm hoping it's a freak occurance perhaps when the valves were just seated and the timing belt was not holding it in place which allowed for a little more slack than normal.

Sure freaked the hell out of me this morning, everything seems to be fine. The tensioner appears to be within spec, it's hard to get a valiper in between all of the obstructions. I've driven it a few times and the tension appears normal now.

Thanks for the speedy replies guys!

[nissanfreak12]

Definitely good to hear!!!!

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I'd be more concerned about not running timing covers...

[robomatic12]

I've thought about it a few times, I bought the Z with no covers. Do you happen to know if you can put the timing covers back on without removing the front water pipes? It's the risk of a rock or debris getting inbetween the belt/cams right?

[NolimitZ32]

Its a risk of many things including water getting on your belt, anything that shouldn't be there, and no I don't believe you can put the covers on without removing the water pipes but taking them off and putting them back on is not a big job.