Just changed out my timing belt, water pump, crank & Cam seals. I followed the tension instruction as per the Honda service manual and had considerable whine.

So I pulled the top cover and adjusted the tension again. I did notice that upon tightening the bolt all or most slack is gone once one tightens the bolt. So . . . I put roughly a half inch of deflection on the belt and keep it there while tightening the adjuster bolt. So now I have a hint of belt whine but nothing like before.

So my question is just how much timing belt slack is ideal? Yes it a Genuine Honda belt and correct part number. And no the old belt didn't seem to whine like this one. The old belt had a bit less tension on it than I now have on the replacement. At the time it seemed to me to be too loose?

Thanks,

Glen