Timing Belt Movement - Normal?

[C3L1CA]

Is it normal to have a little movement on the timing belt between the intake cam and the tensioner pulley when revving the motor?

It almost ripples for a split second like a motorcycle chain when revving it, then goes back to normal while keeping a steady rpm, then ripples again before going back to normal when idling. It doesn't move a lot but enough to make me a nervous.

Does any other evo have the same thing? Am I being over paranoid?

Also if it matters I have a gates racing timing belt. It also seems to have normal tension between the two cam gears and between the tensioner pulley and intake came.

Thanks guys!

[Goat Blower]

Your timing belt doesn't matter, but it sounds like it's not tensioned quite enough. It shouldn't jump at all.

[C3L1CA]

I wouldn't say it "jumps" more so ripples for just a quick second.

I was talking to Nate at the dyno day and he was saying Hondas tining belts move a lot but it's after they pass the cam gears.

I'll tear into it tomorrow if I have to, just don't want to take it all apart to possibly find out everything is fine.

[Goat Blower]

If it's not skipping teeth, it's fine.

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

If I remember right, the timing belt on my 1g did this and I never had any issues with it.

[Pushit2.0]

Honda's will do that because the timing belt tension is fixed, so over time the belt will stretch and then you have slop, and the belt flap between the cam gears is the exhaust cam is trying to turn forward and the intake cam is trying to turn backwards.

This will also be noticed if the motor stops in the right place, the cams will turn into each other and the tensionor will compress. My car likes to do this, so I just turn the cam gears by hand and the slop goes away.

~John

[C3L1CA]

If it's not skipping teeth, it's fine.
Thanks for the input Steve!

If I remember right, the timing belt on my 1g did this and I never had any issues with it.
Glad to hear this, makes me think maybe my issue is normal too.

Honda's will do that because the timing belt tension is fixed, so over time the belt will stretch and then you have slop, and the belt flap between the cam gears is the exhaust cam is trying to turn forward and the intake cam is trying to turn backwards.

This will also be noticed if the motor stops in the right place, the cams will turn into each other and the tensionor will compress. My car likes to do this, so I just turn the cam gears by hand and the slop goes away.

~John
Thanks John. I don't think it flaps between the two cam gears, just between the tension pulley and the intake cam. I also read that it is normal that depending on where the motor stops to be a bit loose between the cams gears like you said.

Think what I am describing is normal or should I look into it?

[Pushit2.0]

What is the car, miles on the timing belt parts, is it your DD?

~John

[C3L1CA]

It's an 03 evo.

Timing belt has about 3k miles on it, not 100% sure on the rest of it. When I bought the long block the previous owner said the 60k was done just before it was pulled. I'd guess 10k miles tops, it all looked pretty damn new though.

Yep its my daily. I put probably 30ish miles on it today and everything seemed fine. I haven't gone wot on it but seems to be ok so far with no weird noises.

Anybody want to take the top timing cover off their evo, rev it up and see if the belt "ripples" and report back?? Pretty please!

[badinblack]

I will see if I get time when my wife gets back from work.03 evo with just under 60k and stock Mitsubishi belt. Let you know what I find.