UK Car Repair: renault laguna 1.9 dci cambelt tension, renault laguna, correct tool

Question
hello
i have a renault laguna 1.9 dci (2001), i have just fitted a new timing belt to it but i do not have the correct tool to measure the tension of the belt, is there a way i can tell if the tension of the belt is o.k? should there be any twisting or up/down movement for example.  any help you can give would be appretiated as the tool is very expensive and im sure it could be done without

thanks, steve

Answer
Hi Steve, if you did the belt yourself then I know you have mechanical ability so I don't need to dumb it down for you. The long and short of it is this; if you have the wrong tension on the belt it will break or slip and the damage can run run into the thousands. However i know how it feels to be short of cash to finish a job so if you want to do it the conventional way, and I strongly advise against it just measure the flex (up and down movement) it should be no more than 1/2 inch. I am not responsible for any damage caused and strongly advise hiring the tool. Good luck - Paul