Well, it's been about 600+ miles (actually, 800, I drive a lot) since I did my belt last weekend. Now I understand it's time to retorque.

I think I can just do this by removing the rubber plug on the cover and loosening and retightening.

However, one of the FAQs suggests repeating steps 1 - 5, which involves removing the cover, installing the tool (5284), abd then tightening it. That seems unnecessary to me.

Also, should the retorqueing be done hot or cold engine?

Thanks, Tom

I tried that last weekend... since the PO had replaced the timing belt last summer, and I wasn't sure if the belt had been in for a retorquing. Problem was I coudln't budge the bolt... even straining all I could with my 8" handle socket wrench.

Question: Can a torque wrench be used to loosen bolts, if the torque setting is set to the maximum? I'm guessing this should NOT be done... but it's the biggest handled wrench I have, and I'm sure it could loosen overtorqued bolts better than my socket wrench.

Or should I just get a foot long section of iron pipe to slip over my socket wrench handle?

Another suggestion. Loosen it when the engine is still hot then tighten it after it cools down.

Yes. Just pull the plug. Loosen the tensioner bolt only on a cold engine, and then torque back to speck. When you go to loosen it and it breaks free, you'll probably hear a loud 'crack!!!' At least that's what my 940s do. Peter - it's not a good idea to use a torque wrench as a breaker bar - you could destroy it or at least alter the calibration/accuracy. If you don't have a big enough wratchet to loosen the tensioner bolt (or something that you can slide over the end of the wratchet for additional leverage like the iron pipe you mentioned), put the closed end of a combination wrench/box end wrench on the wratchet - using the wrench for leverage.

> put the closed end of a combination wrench/box end wrench on the wratchet - using the wrench for leverage.<

Great tip! I tried it and it worked like a charm!

that's the purpose of that little plug... Pull it, back off the tensioner bolt, and then tighten it back down again... You're not turning a pulley, so there's no need for the other tool.

-Paul Demeo
1990 780T

He's right- all you need is a socket and ratchet. Also, you might want to play it safe and do it when the engine's cold. Cold metal is harder to strip then warm metal.
--
1985 245 205k and counting. Charter member of the Martha Stewart Racing Team- "It's a good thing"