Do you have to lock the tensioner with the special toll for a holden Astra 1.8 when changing fan belt

With the engine running check the battery voltage with a meter should read around 14.5 volts, switch on headlights reading should still above 12 volts , if not check drive belt tension or voltage regulator .

Hi David I assume its an Astra city it will require the belt to be removed 1st. the wheel of the tensioner may have a 14mm bolt going through its centre you will need a 14mm spanner to lever the tensioner away from the belt once belt is loose remove. (draw the pattern of the belt around all pulleys before removal) this may help on reinstalling. Also when levering make sure the spanner is secure on the bolt so it does not slip. Some tensioners have a 1/4 inch square drive hole in the arm just below the tensioner wheel if yours has this use that to lever rather than the bolt previously mentioned. Once belt is removed there will be a second bolt retaining the tensioner to the engine (probably a torques bolt). Remove that bolt and the tensioner should come off. Note there is a locating dowl on the rear of tensioner remove slowly and view where the dowl goes so you can be sure that its location is correct when reinstalled. Please make sure that you do not work blindly when levering as it would be very easy to catch fingers if anything slips. Good luck

TS Astra timing belt - Automotive - Whirlpool

forums.whirlpool.net.au > Automotive

WhirlpoolApr 6, 2007 - I'm considering buying either a used Ford Focus or Holden Astra, and have been ... i had my car serviced and timing belt changed, had a wheel ... I just did a full service at ultratune on my 1999 Astra, did the 60,000 km service. Timing Belt Replacement Cost - Servicing
Sep 17, 2014
Holden Astra known issues? - Holden
Dec 12, 2012
Astra or Focus manual Diesel? - Ford
Sep 26, 2010
astra a lemon?
Sep 5, 2008
More results from forums.whirlpool.net.au

Timing Belt & Water Pump Replacement : Water ... - YouTube

? 4:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRHa0LJR9HA
Dec 7, 2008 - Uploaded by expertvillage
This is my first timing belt change on my 2005 Toyota Sienna; and I am .... just switch my cam sprockets backwards and upgrade my 2.0 to a 2.4.

If the tensioner is for the cam timing belt then it certainly WAS touched. You can't install a new belt without releasing the tensioner.
Maybe you can back off a bit and see if they won't share the cost of maybe finding a used replacement engine from a salvage yard - you pay 25% and they cover 75% or some other arrangement. A used engine is going to be cheaper than rebuilding your damage engine.

After all, you didn't wrench on the engine, they did.

It is spring loaded. Use a spanner on the bolt to release tension while changing the belt

The tension-er pulley will have a 3/8 square drive indentation on the face of the pulley, The pulley is spring loaded and requires a serpentine belt tool or sometimes a 3/8 drive breaker bar will suffice

If you replaced the timing belt and the car has been doing this, it is possible you are 1 tooth out with the timing belt.

you can feel the belt with your fingers and the rubber should feel smooth on the side if it is rough you don't have long

There's a website that has all this information about all this and manuals everything totally free there are many actually but I personally like few
for now u can try reliable-store.... let me know if u need help
thanks

2.7L & 3.5L Engines same Tools & Procedure Rate Me Please 1/2 in. breaker bar & Special Tool 7198 for conventional V-belts and Poly-V belts

1. REMOVAL
   AIR CONDITIONING BELT
   
   NOTE: The A/C drive belt self tensioner is NOT a dynamic tensioner. After adjustment the tensioner bracket bolts are tightened. The torsion spring is no longer responsible for tensioning the A/C belt. The torsion spring is only used for initial belt tensioning.
   1. Remove generator/power steering belt to gain access to A/C belt. Refer to GENERATOR/POWER STEERING BELT for procedure.
   
   
   1. Loosen BUT DO NOT REMOVE tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt (Fig. 2).
   2. Insert 1/2" drive breaker bar into square opening on belt tensioner. Rotate tensioner counterclockwise until belt can be removed from pulleys (Fig. 2).
   3. Slowly rotate tensioner clockwise to relieve spring load.
   CLEANING
   Clean all foreign debris from belt pulley grooves. The belt pulleys must be free of oil, grease, and coolants before installing the drive belt.
   
   INSPECTION
   Belt replacement under any or all of the following conditions is required:
   
   • Excessive wear
   • Frayed cords
   • Severe glazing

• Poly-V Belt system may develop minor cracks across the ribbed side (due to reverse bending). These minor cracks are considered normal and acceptable. Parallel cracks are not (Fig. 3).
  
  NOTE: Do not use any type of belt dressing or restorer on Poly-V Belts. INSTALLATION
  
  AIR CONDITIONING BELT - NEW
  
  WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE A/C BELT TENSIONER LOCKING BOLT WITHOUT FIRST HOLDING THE TENSIONER WITH A 1/2" DRIVE BREAKER BAR, AS PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

NOTE: Verify that torsion spring position is in the new belt position before installing a NEW belt (Fig. 4). If torsion spring is not in the new belt position, follow steps 1-7 to change the tensioner spring from the USED belt position to the NEW belt position.

1. Insert a 1/2" drive breaker bar into the square opening on the tensioner. Hold counterclockwise pressure on tensioner while removing the locking bolt (Fig. 2).
2. Carefully release spring load of the torsion spring on the tensioner.
3. Remove pivot bolt, tensioner, and spring from front timing cover.
4. Insert spring arm into the NEW belt position on the tensioner (Fig. 4).
5. Install torsion spring, tensioner, and pivot bolt.
6. Install pivot bolt. Tighten only finger tight, at this time.
7. Using a 1/2" drive breaker bar, apply counterclockwise pressure until locking bolt can be installed.
   1. Install the NEW belt by rotating the tensioner counterclockwise until the NEW belt can be installed on pulleys. See (Fig. 5) for belt routing.
   2. Release tensioner and remove breaker bar. Belt is automatically adjusted with the tensioner's torsion spring.
   3. Tighten tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt to 28 Nm (250 in. lbs.) (Fig. 2).
   4. Install generator/power steering belt.
   AIR CONDITIONING BELT - USED
   
   NOTE: A "used belt" is considered having more than 500 miles of service use. NOTE: Perform steps 1-7 to change the tensioner spring from the NEW belt position, to the USED belt position.
   1. Insert a 1/2" drive breaker bar into the square opening on tensioner. Hold counterclockwise pressure on tensioner, while removing tensioner locking bolt (Fig. 2).
   2. Carefully release the tension of spring on tensioner.
   3. Remove pivot bolt, tensioner, and spring from front cover.
   4. Insert spring into the USED belt position on tensioner bracket (Fig. 4).
   5. Install spring, tensioner bracket, and pivot bolt.
   6. Install pivot bolt. Tighten only finger tight, at this time.
   7. Using a 1/2" drive breaker bar, apply counterclockwise pressure until locking bolt can be installed.
   8. Install the USED belt by rotating tensioner counterclockwise until belt can be installed on pulleys. See (Fig. 5) for belt routing.
   9. Release tensioner and remove breaker bar. Belt is automatically adjusted with the tensioner's torsion spring.
   10. Tighten tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt to 28 Nm (250 in. lbs.) (Fig. 2).
   11. Install generator/power steering belt.

I Hope This is Of Help To YOU IF So PLEASE HELP ME RATE ME it Helps Thank You Very Much and Happy Motoring !!!!!!!!