So I'm re-assembling after water pump replacement and getting ready to do the timing belt. I put on the new TB tensioner with the upper bolt hand tight. I start the bottom bolt in and screw it as tight as I can by hand. I tighten the upper bolt with a 1/4 ratchet and then proceed to the bottom bolt. The bolt gets tight and just as I'm about finished snugging it up, it snaps!

Damn! I drilled it out for an extractor meant for small screws. I insert the extractor, twist on it a bit and it snaps like an ice cube under compression! Double damn!

Anybody else ever do this? How did you recover?

I used some epoxy putty and stuffed it into the recesses of the tensioner and block and reinstalled it with only one bolt. I don't know how long this is going to work for, if at all...

 

Did it brake even with the block? I would weld a spare nut to whatever is left of that bolt and get it out this way. Works great with chevy exhaust bolts.

I wouldn't trust epoxy to hold the tensioner. This thing has quite a lot of force and it's too important.

 

Ignoring torque specs will bite you in the ass. 8.7 ft-lbs on those bolts. Sorry that happened to you, lesson learned I guess. Good luck on a resolution!

 

Oh hell Nawl! You snugged it a bit to tight lol
So your timing belt job is complete? I would just ride that bad boy lol Drive it to a mechanic and have them drill it out and replace

 

Well, thanks for the sentiment! I'm quite a competent mechanic myself, as well as machinist, CNC programmer and manufacturing engineer. I'm not going to pull the engine to remedy this one bolt situation. When I pull it out, it will be to replace it, probably when the epoxy putty give out! This happens to be the first bolt I've broken unintentionally in the last 20 years or so... I guess I'm entitled. I drove it today about 20 miles and it's functioning properly. Time will tell!

 

I hope your remedy proves good for the long term;

 

Thanks for the resume.

It sounds like you're more qualified than most of the people here so why even bother to ask?

 

If you read carefully you'll find that I didn't ask for a solution. I asked if others have had the same issue and what they did to correct it. I took exception to the phrase "take it to a mechanic and let them fix it [sic]" and wanted to explain further why. Oh, and that was only part of my resume. Your mother should have taught you that just because you think it doesn't mean it has to come out of your brain and on to a medium...

 

1/4" drive very low range, 40 to 200 in-lb torque wrench is recommended. All those who say they can tighten by feel and get pretty close is just a disaster waiting to happen like this instance.

 

.....so was anyone here helpful....uh oh!