[alfa] Re: mechanical tensioners

["George Schweikle" <schweikg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gerry,

Your picture illustrates the exact same failure I experienced. This should
be sent to the mechanical guru who writes for Alfa Centro, IAP, and anyone
else who supplies these tensioners. As some people know, springs can suffer
from a condition known as Hydrogen embrittlement. Generally resulting from
electroplating, but also from other sources. The cure is "normalizing";
heating the part to drive out the Hydrogen molecules from intergranular
structure of the metal. Maybe we have all suffered from periodic episodes of
poor normalizing of tensioner springs. Whatever the root cause, this type of
tensioner failure is real, not the result of poor installation, and the cost
has been monumental to the Alfa community.

Market thinking: The replacement cars for our Milanos are a '00 VW Jetta
(with a non-interference engine) and a '91 Spider Veloce (with a cam chain).

George Schweikle

> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:39:05 -0800
> From: Gerry & Lisa Lehmann <lehmann@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] Re: Mechanical tensioners and Market thinking
>
> Yep, George Schweikle describes the common failure perfectly.  Although he
did not receive much response from vendors, I found in my inquiries that the
small spring failure is rampant, and the "improper installation" theory is
weak.  I'm looking at a jumbo paper clip on my desk whose wire section is
more stout than the spring wire on the tensioner.  George, does this look
familiar?
>
> http://home.san.rr.com/glehmann/V6-TensionerBreak.jpg
>
> Food for thought on replacement car thinking.  If one uses the BMW 3
series as a reference point through time, it seems to me that the current
G35 6 speed sedan falls into much the same position relative to a 3xx BMW as
a Milano Verde did in its day. RWD, A little larger engine, a notably less
expensive price point, and very balanced handling with close to 50/50 weight
distribution (in the G35 due
> to the relatively rearward placement of the V6).   I would have bought a
156 this year if there was one to buy, but having to punt, the G is working
out just fine.
>
> Gerry Lehmann
> down to but one Alfa due to similar experience to George and Doug
> '86 GTV6 3.0
> '02 Audi S6 - timing belt on 90k interval
> '04 G35 - with timing chain
>
> > Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 07:35:39 -0500
> > From: "George Schweikle" <schweikg@domain.elided>
> > Subject: [alfa] Re: Mechanical tensioners
> >
> > Doug,
> >
> > My experience of a few years ago duplicated yours. When I removed a
> > mechanical tensioner that failed one day after installation, I found the
> > spring had broken in a straight area just inside the end that is swaged
into
> > the body (behind the idler pulley). Alfa Centro requested information
about
> > widespread failure of these tensioners several months ago, but nothing
> > further has appeared. I have a friend who has done Alfa service for many
> > years who claims to have a small barrel of failed mechanical tensioners
that
> > he replaced. I finally gave up in frustration, and had him install a Zat
> > tensioner.
> >
> > George Schweikle
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