When I bought my 97 Camry V6, there is a noise coming from behind the timing cover. After taking the timing belt off, I found where the noise was coming from. It is the tensioner that is slight rubbing on the back of the mounting tab. When I took off the tensioner and spun it by hand, there is no noise but if I mount it back with the bolt and I spin it, there is rubbing noise. I'm thinking a spacer is missing behind the tensioner? Can anyone confirm with me if there should be a spacer behind the tensioner?

 

by that picture - there was no spacer - you can see a red outline on the inside of that tension-er

in the engine pdf page 40 the other idler pulley its different -- has something behind the bolt and pulley

that black backing plate isnt bolted up in place missing two bolts maybe another ..is that is why its rubbing


go by how the belt lines up with the other cogs

when the timing belt is back on
rotate engine fully twice clockwise by hand .. to check timing marks are spot on

if the belt isnt straight it will run off the pulleys or shread

nice water pump

 

Actually the backing plate bolts were there before I took off the belt. The tensioner was bolted with the backing plate bolts on when I spun it by hand and thats when I was hearing the rubbing noise.

 

your call then ... watch the torque on that bolt
if the bearing sound is still in the tension-er after the washer is fitted the bearing is faulty (too much crush )

to test the theory
you will have to try thin flat washers -- till you clear the backing plate..

end of the day .. the timing belt must be running true