Purchased new Gates t/belt kit but although set-up to Ford's procedure I have had problems with pointer alignment.
I had set at TDC with pointer dead-centre but found on running engine the pointer moved too far to RIGHT, albeit steady and no bounce.
I deliberately re-set tensioner static so that pointer was 10mm off centre to LEFT.
On running engine pointer moved up to centre and I thought that was the problem sorted.
However, today I was checking things again and while the pointer moved to dead-centre I decided to leave engine running until fully hot .
At this condition pointer had moved way too far to RIGHT suggesting over tensioned belt, albeit it didn't appear that the belt was over tight and there was no squealling when revving the engine.
Have concluded tensioner is faulty/dodgy and a new alternative make is on order.
Would be pleased to hear from anyone with this experience and their advice.

 

Think the pointer in the square is for initial tightening and on running will move out of it.had hard time with mine on tightening wouldn’t stay in the square ,just kept moving slightly out , anyone had this ?

 

Likley a dumb question! When pointer is to LEFT is this insufficient tension - and when to RIGHT over tensioned? Or is it other way about?

 

As nobody has come up with an explanation - I trawled the net and to help any future DIY mechanics here is the reason for my problem:
Obtaining the correct timing belt tension is only possible on an engine at room temperature. Tensioning procedures are always developed for COLD engines, manual and automatic belt tensioners alike. Always COLD! If the timing belt is changed OR adjusted to the recommended spec when the engine is HOT the consequences are likely to be devastating. My error was to continue setting tensioner pointer to align in the square when the engine was HOT. Big no-no. My Gates tensioner was NOT at fault. - I was to blame, although I feel it would be more than helpful if this info was included with the Timing Belt Kit!