Alfa 164 Technical Service Bulletin 01.93.04

Information: New Style V-6 Tensioner Adjustment

Models: All V-6 Equipped Models - 1981 Thru 1993 - With the New Style Non Oil-Fed Tensioner

Date: 08/11/93

A new sytle, non oil-fed, timing belt tensioner is now supplied as a replacement part for all Alfa Rome V-6 Engines - Model years 1981 through 1993. This new style tensioner (part number 605-88421) supersedes all old style, oil-fed tensioners.

Attached please find the instructions for properly adjusting this new style tensioner. This procedure must be followed exactly in order to achieve proper timing belt tension.

ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE


NEW STYLE, NON OIL-FED, V-6 Timing Belt Tensioner

(reference video tape - part # 608-97518)

IMPORTANT NOTE

This new style tensioner has a temperature sensitive clutching device. It is important that it is only adjusted on a cold engine and when the workshop's ambient air temperature is between 59 and 96 degrees F. (15 - 35 C).

  1. With engine cold and positioned at top dead center, losen both tensioner retaining nuts. Use a 3/8 square drive inserted into the lift square (see Figure "A" attached) of the tensioner and rotate the assembly counter-clockwise (into the drive belt) until a resistance is felt.
    CAUTION: Do not use excessive force! Torque applied to the lift square must be at least 11 foot pounds but no greater than 18 foot poinds. Too much force may damage the clutching mechanism.
  2. Holding the tensioner in this position, lock down the tensioner by tightening the adjustment nut to approximately 15 foot pounds.
  3. With tensioner set in this way, rotate the engine clockwise at least four crankshaft revolutions, to seat the belt.
  4. On the last revolution, line up the top dead center marks.
    CAUTION: Do not back up the engine at any time. If you accidently pass T.D.C., keep going and bring it around again. Do not back up!
  5. After performing steps 3 and 4, hold the tensioner with the 3/8 drive in the lift square. Loosen the adjusting nut and very slowly, let the tensioner back off, until the position indicator pointer (see Figure "A" attached) is lined up with the nominal reference mark.
    CAUTION: Do not let the tensioner back off past the nominal mark or you will have to repeat the entire procedure from the beginning!
  6. Tighten the adjustment nut and the tensioner pivot nut to 20 foot pounds.
  7. Rotate the engine several more complete revolutions in a clockwise direction. Line up top dead center just as you did in step #4. Verify that the position indicator pointer is still lined up with the nominal reference mark.

    Note: The position indicator pointer will only line up with the nominal reference mark when the engine is exactly on top dead center and when the engine is cold.

SINCERELY,
ALFA ROMEO DISTRIBUTORS OF NORTH AMERICA

NOTE: The procedure to replace the old style oil-fed tensioner with the new style non oil-fed tensioner is detailed in technical bulletin 01.93.03

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