Tech, or anybody out there who knows: (2000 S40 1.9T)

I have had a new timing belt installed for about a half year (August) and I had reason (plug change) to take the timing cover off. When I did, I found that the timing belt has been rubbing on the cover. As I don't believe this was a problem before I changed it, I fired that baby up and strangely enough, the belt was sliding back and forth (laterally) on the camshaft pulleys. In addition, it actually slid partly off of the pulleys and then back on again (as I am sure you are aware, there is no lip on either of the pulleys to prevent this). So, I believe that the reason for the rubbing on the timing cover is that this timing belt is sliding around. I really don’t want the belt to slip completely off as I’m sure it will obliterate the valves. My questions to you are: 1. Is this in any way normal? 2. Any ideas as to what might cause this, parts to look at, have you seen this before? 3. Since the car has been running fine since the belt was installed, do you think it’s ok to operate, or am I just one second from disaster?

I have been considering checking the valve clearances as a check of wear. The VADIS manual instructs you to put an alignment tool on the back of the camshafts so that you know which position in the cycle you are in. However, on the back of my intake camshaft, in the place where a cam position sensor assembly would be, there is a blank metal plug. Any ideas how to get this off without taking the entire cam cover off? I understand that there are no additional hold-down clamps on the camshafts, only the cam cover holds them in. Is that right, or can I take the cam cover off without having to worry about liberating the actual camshafts?

Thanks for any help

 

Check the tensioner pulley and idler pulley. One might be bad making the belt walk like that.
That is not normal.

I would not worry about checking the Valves. It will be way to much trouble for you to get into.