[FIXED] 2003 Hyundai Elantra Timing Belt Walking

[Stephen Carney]

Hi,

I am working on finishing up my first timing belt job on a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. I am having trouble where the belt is walking either towards the engine or away from the engine. Does anyone have any tips, I am really stuck on this one. Best bet is to check out my YouTube video where I explain the problem. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=KFzBk840rN4
I can get the belt walk toward or away from the engine, anywhere but right in the middle. If the belt walks towards the engine, it seems to be scrubbing a bit against a flange on the back side of the tensioner. If it walks away from the engine, it seems like it might okay, since it’s blocked down beneath by the crankshaft pulley. I really need some help here. Thanks.

Steve

Topic

[Mike]

When the belt is walking, is it when the engine is running, or when you are turning the engine over by hand?

If you are turning the engine over manually, does the direction of belt walk depend on which direction you rotate the engine, or are you always rotating the engine in the same direction? Also, rotating a belt drive in the opposite direction of normal rotation can produce weird results.

[Stephen Carney]

It may walk if I turn it over by hand long enough. But I only do one revolution and it doesn’t really walk much. I only turn it in the normal operation direction, clockwise. But I start the engine up from the passenger side of the car and I can see within about a second of startup she slides over to one side or the other.

[hondaslave1342]

I had the same problem when doing the timing belt on my 01 accord…i didnt have the tensioner bolt tight enough..it would walk both ways when turning it over manually but set itself when engine was running.

[Stephen Carney]

I see. For me I’ve already overtightened it to the point the belt starts singing, but even then it still walks to one side or the other.

[hondaslave1342]

Also if the crankshaft pulley is not tight or flush with the block it will cause the belt follow its pattern..

[Stephen Carney]

After speaking with several people, I have determined that it’s okay if the belt walks to one side or another as long as it is completely on the camshaft sprocket. In other words, as long as no part of the part is hanging off of the camshaft sprocket it’s fine. My belt was completely on the camshaft sprocket, it just wasn’t completely centered. Thanks to everyone for their help.

[Author]

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