V6 Tensioner

[McNeon@domain.elided]

Recent discussions bring up a point I've pondered about the mechanical 
tensioners. From a brief inspection of the new-style tensioner, I believe 
that it does not have a thermally-variable function - that is, the spring is 
just a tension spring and not a bimetal thermostatic device. The setting 
procedure seems only to ensure that the mechanism can accommodate the full 
range of engine temperature extremes without running out of travel (which 
would, of course, cause major changes in belt tension). And, the large number 
of coils in the spring would tend to indicate that the tension should remain 
pretty much constant.

Does any Alfa tech literature specifically mention a thermally-variable 
function in the mechanical tensioner? Or, has anyone done any technical 
analysis of this thingie?

Bob McKeown
Nashville, TN

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