Just did a simple timing belt change on a zed, not mine, she's still not playing, anyway, back to the question. Did the change, all went ok-ish, but start it up and we have a strange whirring noise, like the belt rubbing, from around the drivers side exhaust cam gear, although this is at idle only. rev it a bit to 2000rpm and the noise is gone. The belt is not rubbing anywhere...all ok there. Facts and figures: Just a timing belt change, no seals, just the timing belt and tensioner. So reletively straight forward. Just this noise that's got me a bit a little concerned. Can you over-tension the timing belt?
Check the plate that the cam covers bolt to. prob rubbing on the tensioner mine did it and it sounded like a bearing , i pushed the plate back and the noise was gone. Trev
Tensioner can be over tensioned, this usually sounds like a blower wine. Have you got the 4mm clearance on the tensioner arm? or is it hard agoainst the hydrualic rod. When I set them I dont set it with 4mm clearance, I set it for minimal clearance between the arm and tensioner. This prevents too much deflection which can lead to early belt failure.
I bet that you are right Trev, just had the same problem on an N/A that I rebuilt, luckily on the passengers side so I didnt have to remove cooling water piping Martin
