Mr Micawber

My thanks to Paul for his help with this. Here are my findings which might be useful to other members in future. The rattling was nothing to do with the cambelt. I think I may have forgotten to tighten the auxiliary belt tensioner securing bolts and observe the specified torque for the three crankshaft pulley bolts. The new timing belt was also whining. I removed it and started the whole process again from the start. The first thing I noticed was that when lacing the new belt between crankshaft and camshaft sprockets, the flywheel locking pin (long version) has a tendancy to be pushed out. My security marks alerted me to this. The tool needs to be wedged in place. The second thing is that the Sealey belt retaining clip (for the crankshaft sprocket) doesn't seem to me to offer anything useful at all. It has to be squeezed in a narrow gap between the casting flange and crankshaft sprocket. Then it's spring loading pushes the belt towards the centre which opposes your efforts to lace it properly. Thirdly, it's incredibly difficult to remove through that narrow gap. I'd be very surprised if dealers use this device. Anyway, all seems well now. Thanks again Paul. Simon

The belt is a Gates specified for my engine and was fitted with the camshaft and flywheel locked using the service tools. I think initially I will reattach the engine mounting, start the engine and observe the belt tension. Thanks for your interest Paul. Simon

Thanks for the photograph Paul. It appears that I have got the baseplate mounted correctly, but my hexagon hole is in a different position! Do you remember how you eventually solved the problem of the varying belt tension? Simon

Hello Paul, I wonder if you can help me because I'm having the same problem! :o I've just routinely renewed the timing belt on our 1.4 litre 8v 75 bhp KFV engine using the locking tools and following both Citroen and Haynes manuals. The engine starts immediately and runs but with an intermittent rattle when revved above idle. As I turn the engine by hand, the belt tension slackens then re-tensions again. I'm experienced in car maintenance but have not done a cambelt before, and this variation in tension doesn't seem right to me. :wacko: I wouldn't be surprised if I've mounted the tensioner incorrectly because I cannot find any guidance for this in the manuals. Here's a picture of my installation with the water pump sprocket in the background: http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/imagehosting/101856d1f6ea4436a.jpg Just to the left of the pointer you can see that I have positioned the two pronged fork over a web in the engine casting. Is this the correct mounting position please? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully set-up this type of tensioner (KFV engine 1.4 litres 8 valves). Simon