wmegl

I am installing a new timing belt with a new tensioner pulley on my '97 3.2 TL. The pulley does not appear to be providing tension. The spring is pulling the pulley to the left (when viewed from the front of the car). To provide tension to the belt, the pulley should be moving to the right, into the belt.

Thanks for any help. I have a picture if required.

Levithan9

This is from ALLDATA repair guide. I'm a ASE cert asuto tech, so i just copied and pasted:

REMOVING TIMING BELT:

1. Loosen the adjusting bolt 180° . Push the tensioner to remove tension from the timing belt, then retighten the adjusting bolt.
2. Remove the timing belt.

INSTALLING TIMING BELT

1. Install the timing belt in the sequence shown.

(1) Timing belt drive pulley (crankshaft) ->(2) Adjusting pulley ->(3) Left camshaft pulley ->(4) Water pump pulley ->(5) Right camshaft pulley.

NOTE:

• For easier installation, advance the right camshaft pulley by about a half tooth from the TDC position.
• Make sure the timing belt drive pulley and camshaft pulleys are at TDC.

1. Loosen and retighten the adjusting bolt to tension the timing belt.

AFTER TIMING BELT INSTALL

1. Rotate the crankshaft pulley about five or six turns clockwise so that the timing belt positions on the pulleys.
2. Adjust the timing belt tension.

Hope that helps.

9632tl

I just got done changing the timing belt in my 96, and i had the same issue. I used a long regular screwdriver to push the tab that the spring hooks into, while someone else turned the crank pulley back and forth. seemed to work, and the belt is nice and tight now!