P38A SNAP!

wammers said:

The boss for the tensioner is screwed into the timing case.

Click to expand...

Cheers. Best make sure that is tight or it will vibrate like one of those Strongbow arrows.

Have a look at your radiator shroud for any bits of plastic missing as the tensioner pulley should not be able to drop on to the ground like that

The way to reinforce it, that works is like this.
Cut two pieces of 16g metal to the shape of the body of the tensioner. (one piece for each side) Drill two holes each side at the top & bottom to hold the metal to the body of the tensioner. Araldite the metal profiles to each side of the tensioner & use small self tappers. Once hardened you can smack this thing with a hammer. I've repaired four of these over the years with this method & have never been a problem since.
Don't do this until the tensioner cracks.

Rick-the-Pick said:

The way to reinforce it, that works is like this.
Cut two pieces of 16g metal to the shape of the body of the tensioner. (one piece for each side) Drill two holes each side at the top & bottom to hold the metal to the body of the tensioner. Araldite the metal profiles to each side of the tensioner & use small self tappers. Once hardened you can smack this thing with a hammer. I've repaired four of these over the years with this method & have never been a problem since.
Don't do this until the tensioner cracks.

Click to expand...

If the tensioner cracks fit a new one.

Wammer's, I'm right behind you there. This is just an emergency get you out of a hole on xmas eve scenario. But this £2 repair does the job to the point once reinforced, just forget about it.
For reference, I've cracked a new one whilst fitting. They're as weak as ****e.

wammers said:

If the tensioner cracks fit a new one.

Click to expand...

Depends on how much money you can afford and how fluent you are in "mechanical repair".

Rick-the-Pick said:

Wammer's, I'm right behind you there. This is just an emergency get you out of a hole on xmas eve scenario. But this £2 repair does the job to the point once reinforced, just forget about it.
For reference, I've cracked a new one whilst fitting. They're as weak as ****e.

Click to expand...

Yes mate, this is exactly as I would have done it, can't see the point in wasting money on more breakable bits that only enriches the spare parts shop.

ovalandrover said:

Have a look at your radiator shroud for any bits of plastic missing as the tensioner pulley should not be able to drop on to the ground like that

Click to expand...

Looked everywhere. Can see no damage. And you're right, there's almost no way out of there without banging something. Both me and the neighbour just spent 30 minutes looking for damage as it is still all apart waiting for a replacement pulley (old one probably OK but just in case). I can only think because it was idling the belt failed, wrapped round the crank and it just dropped along the line of the belt through the gap and then the remaining spin was enough to propel it to the front wheel. Cannot believe how lucky I have been. Of course, once reassembled and filled up with coolant I may find damage!

Just cleaned everything up as best I can. It can dry out over the next few days and then after reassembly any leaks will show up PDQ.