spiderw31 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I've got a new actuator to install as part of the top end overhaul my car is getting after bending valves when the t-belt snapped, but I've got a question. It came pre-compressed, but I keep reading about filling the actuator with oil. Is this something that needs to be done on a new actuator, and how exactly does one go about filling it? All the info I've found so far pertains to re-using the old actuator, and doesn't actually describe how to properly fill it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 I really can't help you, but buying a factory service manual would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 That was one step I couldn't figure out so I skipped it. Knock on wood, car's still running! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 That was one step I couldn't figure out so I skipped it. Knock on wood, car's still running! Yeah man you may have just set yourself up there! I'd like to find out the proper procedure since I've already learned that any way possible, my car will try to figure out a way to break. So I am double checking, and replacing like a fiend... I just want this thing to run right (and reliably) once and for all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Series8217 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 If I recall correctly, this is the procedure fully retract the tensioner and pin it (should be this way from the factory if its brand new), then secure it lightly in a vice or whatever so that the end plug is facing up. Let it sit for a bit so that the oil flows to the bottom. Pop off the end plug. The oil level should be at the bottom of the plug. If not, fill with synthetic 5w-30. Don't fill it past the bottom of the plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 And then I assume the plug gets put back in, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 And then I assume the plug gets put back in, right? Yes, and I think the pin gets pulled after the belt is reinstalled. But don't quote me on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 It make sense that it would, otherwise there would be no tension put on the belt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 And then I assume the plug gets put back in, right? Yes, and I think the pin gets pulled after the belt is reinstalled. But don't quote me on this. Yes, this is true. And oil would not sink into any of the holes in the tensioner. The only reason I didn't press it further is that I was intentionally half-assing it just to get the car to run, to see if the thing even ran. I just got lucky that the engine was timed perfectly the very first time I ever did the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 What do yo mean the oil wouldn't sink into any holes in the tensioner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 What do yo mean the oil wouldn't sink into any holes in the tensioner? The instructions referred to filling up the tensioner (actuator) with oil, and it wouldn't go in the hole the instructions referred to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Gotcha. So does anyone know how it is supposed to get done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 ok i just dug out the service manual for you .... 14. Rotate the screw counterclockwise to align slot with vent hole, and push the straight section of the wire into the screw slot to retain the plunger in the retracted position. 15. If tensioner oil has been lost, fill the tensioner with SAE 5w30 Mobil 1 (or equivalent) synthetic oil through the end hole. Fill to bottom of plug hole ONLY when plunger is fully retracted and installed. that said the service manual does not state HOW to do it, just to do it. what would probably be a good idea would to get a syringe of some sort and fill it with oil and inject it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Thanks man! Sounds relatively straight forward. As I said before, I just want the best shot at getting this stupid thing reliable once it is put back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w-bodys_are_the_best Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Here's the entire section from my 91 service manual. It talks about the actuator on the 3rd and 4th pages. Same as what he said^^^ plus the rest of the T-belt section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 protip: tie a string to the paperclip that you put in the actuator so you can actually get it out once it is installed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 looks like everyones got it covered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I thought the way the fsm show's you how do to the whole timing job is wrong and that the guys over at 60 have a slightly different and better way to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 no. they both work. a combination of both help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Ohh ok. What does 60* do differently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderw31 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 protip: tie a string to the paperclip that you put in the actuator so you can actually get it out once it is installed Good call. Probably wouldn't have thought of that myself, but I can see how that would be very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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