So I did a timing belt install about 500 miles ago and today I had to swap out a bad alternator (Duralast alternator lasted a whole 500 miles!) so I decided to look under the upper timing cover and make sure everything was tidy.

When I push on the longest section of belt between pullies (where it goes down from the cam to the cank) there seems to be about 1/2 inch of play. More if I really push. Is this normal?

Car has been running perfect. I used a Dayco tensioner and belt. Belt looks fine. I also got close to the timing cover last night and couldn't hear anything abnormal, didn't feel anything odd when I put my hand on the timing cover either.

 

I think it's OK. When I push on the belt close to the cam I can't even get the it to touch the next tooth on the cam gear, if that makes any sense.

How does the auto tensioner work? Does the spring that you attach to the post keep tension or is it built in?

 

twist your timing belt on the on the longest section (cam to crank) and you should be able to twist more than 45 degree, if you can twist it to a whole 180 degree, then it too loose.

btw, don't force on the twist.