BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
16V B234 timing belts[ALL/1988] posted by Mikey on
Saturday, 21 February 1998, at 9:32 a.m.
I am about to tackle my first 16V timing belt change. The parts list from
my supplier has listed both a manual tensioner and an automatic tensioner.
Does anyone know how to tell which I have? Car is a 1990 740 GLE with
100K miles. Also, both timing belt and balance shaft belt assemblies have
tensioners and idler pulleys. How often to replace? This car had timing belt replacement at 50K but other items unknown.
Also I seem to remember a note about plastic tensioner pieces that could break
and were updated-any info?
This is my son's car- I warned him not to buy a 16V but I have to admit this is
one helluva beautiful 740! Power seems between a non-turbo and a turbo.
Re: 16V B234 timing belts[ALL/1988] posted by abe crombie on
Saturday, 21 February 1998, at 2:30 p.m.
If it is a manaul tensioner you can see the spring that pushes the lower right(exhaust) side idler. If it is a hydraulic tensioner the tensioner is below the exhaust cam and appears as a black cylindrical unit that has a stem that pushes on the idler.
You should replace the idler that the Balnce belt wraps around if it the type that has the plastic coated teeeth.
Re: 16V B234 timing belts[ALL/1988] posted by Joe Capra on
Saturday, 21 February 1998, at 7:57 p.m.
Yeah, it's probably worth the extra dough ( or time) to pull that cover off and have a look. I have an 89 b234f 745 (wagon) with 226K miles and, except for a mishap with that balance shaft belt tensioner pulley and a harness fault that was hard for me to findin the fuel system, it's been an absolute tank. Yeah, I'd have preferred the 8V turbo, but just change the belts every 50-60K, and get that plastic pulley out of there ( if it's still there by 1990 model year) and you'd probably love this thing. Great power, no turbo (LOTS more power than non-turbo 740's) My guess is that by 90, the automatic tensioner is there, but dealers say that you just have to pull the covers and see to be sure. ( You're looking for that accentric bolt thingie that's the manual tensioner...and they're convertible. You just have to buy the parts. People need to get over that " if it isn't just like my '83 240, its a problem" mindset. ALL the new 5-cyl 850's are interference-type heads. It is an extreme performance limitation to build non-interference engines. Maintain the belts, relax and enjoy the car.BTW,Gates makes nice belts at 1/2 the price of OE, and NAPA has them.