Timing belt adjustment - cold - hot

[Bigwolf]

I have read in the Honda manual (and in shop talk) that the timing belts should be adjusted to have 5 - 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in.) of slack on the long side.  I am thinking that is with the engine cold and that is the way mine are set.  When the engine gets up to runing temperature, this slack is all gone.  So now I am wondering if adjusting the belts with the engine cold might make them a little too tight when the engine is hot.  I believe in following the Honda maual for most things but I am looking for actual field experience on this particular matter.

So what works best when setting this adjustment?  Engine cold, engine moderately warm or engine at operating temp?

TIA,
Wolf

[Westsider]

Thats how mine are set, cold,. They seem loose cold and good and snug hot. Not making noise or anything so I guess good. I stay on the loose side of the manual 0.3 cold and no problems. Good question though, I would like to know if im running to tight ?
Paul.

[Patrick]

They should be set cold.. I set them a bit looser than Honda wants [3/8"] because they seem to run a bit quieter.. These engines stretch a lot as they warm and the belts will tighten..

[Westsider]

I like that idea Patrick, may loosen mine a tad more while its up on the lift now, hot they were very snug, a little more  than I thought they would be .

[Brian]

ditto with the engine cold and almost at 3/8"

[Bigwolf]

Thanks for the help.  I like the idea of setting the belts a little bit loose when the engine is cold.

Wolf

[Ricky-D]

The springs on the tensioners are there for a reason.

Honda already did the hard part knowing that the mechanically minded would understand.

The cam belts need very little (to none at all) tension and applying such is seeming to approach the whole matter as regards drive belts on motorcycles and fan belts on automobiles.

A cam belt a little too loose will never result in a problem while the same belt a little too tight can result in accelerated wear-out, breakage, and significant damage.

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