cam replacement done, pointer moves??

[ebockus]

i replaced the cam in my jetta yesterday, everything seems good so far. took alot of cranking to get it going after removing the tandem pump. anyway after breaking in the cam i noticed the pointer was out of the notched area on the tensioner. so i adjusted it again adn it moved again, adjust it again and it moved again. the nut is TIGHT, maybe to tight. the pointer only moves say and 1/8 inch maybe only a 1/16, just enough to put it out of the notched or V groove range, in the clockwise direction passed the V. anyone else experience this?

[chittychittybangbang]

You have a torque wrench right? Even a cheapo $20 wrench is better than guessing on torque for critical engine components.

The pointer should only be in the middle of the window on cold engine and at TDC. Rest of belt isn't at TDC and warm engine, tensioner moves. Remember the crank sprocket is slightly oval and the engine could end up resting at a spot where belt puts tension on tensioner.

So if at TDC and cold engine the tensioner pointer is in middle of window, set and forget. Don't fix until broken.

[ebockus]

oh ok gotcha, thanks again. your knowledge is much appreciated. for clerification it was all good cold at tdc. just seemed to "wonder" everytime i looked at it after the instal was complete and was driving car around. just slighty counter clockwise. then i checked again after another drive and i was right back in the v groove again. wasnt sure if the pointer was susposed to move a bit or not. the DIY it said not t be surprised if it moved but didnt say if it was a bad thing or not lol.
p.s. half a tank on new cam, runs a bit nicer now. original lifters were still nice and flat at 240,000km but cam was starting to wear. 2006.5 tdi special edition always ran on castrol slx 5w30. goin to try lubromoly 5w40 this time around
thanks