Your experience with IE manual tensioner

[lencho1500]

Hi all,
I am getting ready to do a timing belt job, and I'm really considering ordering the Manual belt tensioner kit from IE, I'm theory it makes sense to eliminate the possibility of the hydraulic tensioner(one less thing that can go wrong).

My question is to anyone running this kit, how has your experience been? I searched and didn't find many people "reviewing" or stating what their overall experience was with this kit.
I read at some point that IE was going to do a write up on the install did it ever happen?

Thanks

[MmmBoost]

Unless you're building a high HP engine or a high revving head, don't bother. The self-adjusting gas-charged tensioner would be just fine and from an operational stand-point, it would be preferred.


I have the manual tensioner on mine.....but I also have some pretty decent work done to my engine and the head revs to 8200 rpms. I would prefer a gas-filled one, but frankly I just don't trust it for MY application.

[Scotty@Advanced]

I've never heard of an actual tensioner failure, most timing belt failures are the belt itself or the rollers, but MMM is right, the factory tensioner is hard to beat.

[A4SoftWalker]

I've already given this a great deal of thought guys in the process of buying my motor parts and here is my conclusion:

The tensioner has a range of operation for a reason.
As the belt wears and gets broken-in there is an initial change in the length of the belt.
Also throughout the life of the belt it goes through different operating temp changes where the elasticity is affected.
An hydraulic tensioner that is able to keep a constant "TENSION" on the belt is able to accommodate for these operating variations without putting undue stress on the belt. Starting the engine on a cold day or a 100*+ summer for example.

A fixed tension that the IE unit places the belt is really good for racing.
Here the operating conditions are known and relatively constant (meaning tough and hot).
With a street driven car the operating conditions vary too widely from day-to-day (OR seasonally).
The belt tension is not checked as often as it would need to be for ME to run non-hydraulic with confidence.
So on cold days the belt will be a little tighter and the opposite on hotter days.
Lack of a consistent tension will snap a belt quicker than if run at a consistent tension.

Do I have proof of my hypothesis? NO.
Does it seem like it should make sense from a scientific study standpoint? YES.
Now - anyone want to take the time and potential head rebuild costs to test it out? WHY HELLO HELL NO. VAG did already.

So I summarize my thoughts:
IE tensioner - racetrack reliability
VAG tensioner - everyday reliability.

[Sales@IE]

My question is to anyone running this kit, how has your experience been? I searched and didn't find many people "reviewing" or stating what their overall experience was with this kit.
I read at some point that IE was going to do a write up on the install did it ever happen?

Thanks

Hello,
The actual install is the same as any timing belt kit, the way to apply tension is what differs. We did put together this quick DIY video on the proper tension technique:

I've never heard of an actual tensioner failure, most timing belt failures are the belt itself or the rollers, but MMM is right, the factory tensioner is hard to beat.

The actual tensioner itself is an ok design and would be hard to cause a failure. However the oil seal o ring on the tensioner is the common fail point, they grow brittle and fail allowing the fluid to leak or loose pressure and then the tensioner fails. We have seen many of these fail in our test cell and many engines have had problems before timing belt replacement was needed. This problem is more common on engines that run higher RPM's and higher horsepower over stock.

Another advantage is not having to buy any other timing belt components other than a belt/waterpump in the future.

[lencho1500]

So,
Looks like for my application, Stage 2 and maybe GTRS in the near future I should stick to the OEM tensioner. Given that my car is my daily driver and weather varies a lot between summer and winter.

Thanks for the advise. Maybe someday ill build a high horsepower A4

[boy412]

I've never heard of an actual tensioner failure, most timing belt failures are the belt itself or the rollers, but MMM is right, the factory tensioner is hard to beat.

Well...I've had TWO of the gas tensioners fail on me. Yes...TWO. Luckily this was caught before any engine damage occurred but the next time I'll probably install one of the manual tensioners that are on the market. I'm told I will need to monitor the belt tension more closely, but I'm checking it every 3000 miles anyway. Its probably just bad luck on my part, but I am very wary of these gas tensioners.

[MikTip]

Before the oil filled tensioners...

VAG used a mechanical tensioner as well...

The older Bentley manuals described the same exact 90 degree tensioning method for the belt!

Old School! ;o)

[screwball]

I've had two hydraulic tensioners fail on me too. If I was 100% stock or a larger turbo car I wouldn't hesitate to jump to the manual tensioner setups. They hydro stuff's a week link, why continue to gamble with it? IE's setup is nice, in my own car I run a PAG Parts manual setup.

[lencho1500]

I've had two hydraulic tensioners fail on me too. If I was 100% stock or a larger turbo car I wouldn't hesitate to jump to the manual tensioner setups. They hydro stuff's a week link, why continue to gamble with it? IE's setup is nice, in my own car I run a PAG Parts manual setup.

How often do you check the tension on your belt?



To IE:
How often do you recommend rechecking the tension when using your manual tensioner kit? And do you believe weather changes affect the timing belt to such extreme that re-tensioning is needed? Or is the belt break in time the only time you have seen belts "stretch"

Thanks

[boy412]

How often do you check the tension on your belt?

To IE:
How often do you recommend rechecking the tension when using your manual tensioner kit? And do you believe weather changes affect the timing belt to such extreme that re-tensioning is needed? Or is the belt break in time the only time you have seen belts "stretch"

Thanks

With a manual tensioner and kevlar belt I was told to check it every 10k. Again, I check my current tensioner every time I change the oil. I just do NOT trust those things!

[lencho1500]

With a manual tensioner and kevlar belt I was told to check it every 10k. Again, I check my current tensioner every time I change the oil. I just do NOT trust those things!

How often have you had to adjust it?

Edit:NVM you don't have a manual tensioner yet

[Sales@IE]

To IE:
How often do you recommend rechecking the tension when using your manual tensioner kit? And do you believe weather changes affect the timing belt to such extreme that re-tensioning is needed? Or is the belt break in time the only time you have seen belts "stretch"

Thanks

Check the 90 degree flex every time you change your oil or every 10K miles or so. Weather is not going to make much of a difference, on extreme temperature drops or rises you can check it but it should not effect it much. As long as you check it every 10K miles you will be fine. I have not have not had to re-torque or tighten my belt once since I installed it over 9K miles ago on my personal car.

[walky_talky20]

I've got a manual tensioner on mine. My thought was that tons of cars had manual tensioners and never had problems. For instance every single 4 cylinder Toyota Camry through 2001. The tension is set once at install time and locked in place. And you can bet not a single one of those Camry owners ever checked their belt tension in between the 100k mile belt change intervals, let alone every *season*. The belts are usually a little loose toward the 100k mark, so an adjustment halfway through the interval would probably be good. The 1.8T and it's 20 valve arrangement is more demanding on the belt, so checking on it regularly is recommended. I've had mine on there for 30k and I check it every oil change. So far it's A-OK.

[screwball]

Oil change interval on mine as well.