Hello,

This may qualify me for the dumb *** of the year award, but here's what I did. I was replacing the alternator/ac belt on a 95 GXE. I looked at the Haynes manual, it did not mention the pulley nut on the tensioner, just showed an arrow to the top nut that does the tightening. Once I put the new belt on, I kept tightening the adjustment nut on the tensioner. The belt was still loose, so I kept tightening. Next thing I know the tensioner pops off. I did not break the tensioner itself, but the case it bolts into. Looking further at the Haynes manual, it looks like I broke the timing chain cover. Is there a way to fix this without replacing the timing chain cover? The car has 186k miles and I don't want to spend alot fixing it, but I'd rather not use it as a paper weight either... Before I broke it, the car still ran, looked good.
After you stop laughing, any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks alot,
George

 

If you broke the actual Aluminum Timing Chain Cover then you need to get another or have someone heliarc it back.

You probably broke the tensioner assembly bracket held on by 3 bolts (bronze/gold color)... about $60.

 

Here's some pics to help:

 

u need a new one casue i got a used belt tensioner. that i took off my car. casue i was looking for a noise but that wasn't it. still good. e-mail me if u want more infor. at rimaxse2aol.com

 

Wow - that just sucks.

Now I feel better about the dumb things I've done.

You'll be fine - looks to me like you only need the tensioner bracket - not the timing chain cover.

 

Thanks for the info guys, I've got an early 95 and I'm not seeing
the bracket that Chunger was kind enough to take pics of.(I just hope
that he didn't take his car appart on my account). On mine it looks like
one bolt held the tensioner to the timing chain cover, and I've got the
piece of aluminum from the stinking cover in my hand.... I only wish
I torqued a bracket off the car.. Maybe Nissan added that on later years??
Thanks again,
George

 

unless... one of the garages that changed my belts in the past took out the bracket and never replaced it??
anyway, chungers pics are better than the Haynes manual.... They don't show anything but the top of the tensioner..

 

Only the best for our ORG members!

No I didn't disassembly my engine just for you... LOL
I like to keep alot of pictures for occasions just like this.

If that broken aluminum piece still fits over where it broke off exactly, and the threads are good... I'd say bring it down to a welder who can heliarc it back on. Otherwise, look for a new/junkyard cover (installation on top of that).

Sorry I have no pics of that

 

Thanks again Chunger!

 

Thats really funny cause i broke mine yesterday too. Except mine, the idler pulley is still there but it broke halfway down the rod that adjusts it. I guess i would have to replace the whole thing some day but for now it is actually at the right height.

 

well if it makes you feel better, mine snapped when i was installing my UDP. the idler pulley was still on when the bolt snapped, but i had to buy a whole new assemby. it was $51. there was one on ebay the other day for sale actually....