torque meter for 300tdi timing belt.

I am to change the timing belt on my 300tdi on Friday,
prior to a big trip next year to Europe,
Looking through the Rave manual on the subject, it highlights the need for a torquemeter to be secure in the correct belt tension for the job,
i've been asking around some auto factors about, what this is, where do i get one, how i use it; and i've had mixed responses , ranging from ,You guessed it;" Don't worry about, go to halfords and get a cheap gauge for the socket wrench, Do as the Workshop manual says, What does the Haynes manual say, and its a bloody lot of money for a specialist tool for a one time job..."
So i'm in a muddle, be nice to save money, and get away without it, having laid out for the timing belt change tool kit at eighty odd quid so me and a mate can take on the work with some confidence already....However having come this far i don't want to Fook things with a shabby final slack moment,
Any advice, experience....
Cheers,

Darren.

All bolts should be torqued up when been tightened up and a good torque wrench is an essential toolbox item.

yes,
agreed,
i have a wrench, no problem there,
but the meter described,is apparently, an instrument that is placed on the belt at a point on the longest straight distance of its circuit.
Shed any light on this?

timing belt tension gauge- we used to go with 3-5mm or 90 degrees on longest edge on timing belts(generic) at college. now days it's a tension gauge

cheers for the response but i don't understand what your describing.

okay if you had a twin cam 3mm between the sprockets would be okay-cos thats what later spring loaded tensioners are set at. Or generally longest length of timing belt belt on a car 90 degrees.

I set by hand and check with gauge new belt will be slightly tighter, but old belt will give idea of correct tension

Err... i'm sure the 300 belt should be set to tension by using a torque wrench in the 3/8? square drive hole in the tensioner...

ok i understandthe distance part,
what does the angle relate too?

lerk said:

Err... i'm sure the 300 belt should be set to tension by using a torque wrench in the 3/8? square drive hole in the tensioner...

Click to expand...

i told you it was confusing...!?!

generally the longest side of the belt(generic) turned through 90 degrees total. more = too loose less = too tight.

never had a belt break yet- but a belt tension gauge eliminates doubt

oops double post!

gotoneatlast said:

i told you it was confusing...!?!

Click to expand...

Yes, why are you so bothered about it??? get yersen a torque wrench for £15 set to torque of 15Nm turn crank 720degrees check torque again an t'jobs a fish!

i'm bothered about because i don't want to **** my van, i have a torque wrench ,the OP was about the need for a meter or gauge.
However i'll take on board your advice and use it.
PS...i don't need the leotard thing anorl do i??