Hi guys, need a bit of advice/information. Today I took my vehicle to a local repair shop who had been recommended by my son, the TJ was up for a 120,000klm service. Got a call from them mid morning as they were doing the inspection check to ask who had performed the 100,000klm timing belt service.
On removal of the cover it was found that the timing belt was so loose that it could almost be lifted over the teeth and slip the belt by hand. Needless to say servicing stopped and I was told that I should take it back to the service centre where the belt had been installed.
The previous service had been done at a Mitsi service centre, with my luck and the belt being as loose as described I elected to transport the vehicle to the Mitsi service centre by tow truck.
The Mitsi service centre wanted to know if the vehicle had been making any noises when started, my understanding is that if it does make noises it's too late...is this correct?
Secondly they waffled on about the hydraulic tensioner being cactus if the belt had so much free play while stationary, would this be so after 120,000klm and if this was the case why could they have not seen it was on it's way out 20,000klm ago? Got them ringing me back this afternoon and wanted to be a little bit in the know as I can see them saying the hydraulic tensioner is kaput and I wouldn't know if it was the problem or wasn't.cheers

further, was told by the mitsi service centre that they had tested the belt and found no problems, apparently the belt had stopped in a position which had allowed slack at the top of the belt,they had never seen this happen before. tensioner and belts checked out and they reckon that when the vehicle was started it kicked back and all was good with the tension?
They said I could replace the hydraulic tensioner if I wished but I have opted not to, based on the fact that the car runs well and makes no belt noises.

further, was told by the mitsi service centre that they had tested the belt and found no problems, apparently the belt had stopped in a position which had allowed slack at the top of the belt,they had never seen this happen before. tensioner and belts checked out and they reckon that when the vehicle was started it kicked back and all was good with the tension?
They said I could replace the hydraulic tensioner if I wished but I have opted not to, based on the fact that the car runs well and makes no belt noises.

In other words... they tightened it up...so it was okay... then told you some story to keep you happy. if i was you i would make them replace the whole friggen lot!

which had allowed slack at the top of the belt

:gtfo:

thats classic !! and a load of bullsdust

Just picked it up and it runs well but they charged me about $80.00 to check it, problem is not knowing exactly what was wrong with it and knowing very little as I'm not mechanically minded I can't really go them for the fee as I don't feel I have enough evidence. Ah well at least it got a clean bill of health (touch wood). Must admit though they did check it pretty quickly without any hassles which I appreciated.

Correct me If I am wrong but that sounds normal. The hydraulic tensioner after a certain amount of time will retract, not placing stress on the belt 24/7 when not in use, when you start it after one turn it will tighten up. the DOHC's use the same (shit) tensioning system. And sometimes, there is slack between the two intake cams where the water pump is. So sounds normal to me, but if in doubt, replace the tensioner with an OEM one. You DO NOT want to skimp out on the tensioner.