Ford Transit Connect - Stiff crankshaft turning - speedyxjs
I have been repairing a cambelt failure on this van and was having trouble with the tensioner (the tab for setting the right tension was bending when turning over on the starter). After speaking to a mechanic yesterday, it seems the crankshaft gets very stiff at certain points (about every 2 1/2 turns) putting too much tension on the tensioner and bending the tab.

As the fuel pump is chain driven by the crank and the camshaft is belt driven by the pump, im beginning to think it could be a damaged chain or sprocket. Could this have happened with a cambelt failure?
Ford Transit Connect - Stiff crankshaft turning - tdc

Check the "runout"on the sprocket shafts.This is easy to do,make a loop of stiff wire and attach to a conveniently close bolt hole,bend wire so it is just touches machined centre of shaft and turn through 360deg several times.You will immediately see if there is any "runout".

Shafts do bend and they do break.

Ford Transit Connect - Stiff crankshaft turning - m2aok

I have been having the same problem as you are discribing.

I have repaired my cam belt failure and the engine runs fine at low rev's.

But when the rev's are increased the cam belt tensioner ' tab ' bends and it makes a rattling noise. ( as if its being over loaded )

I wonder if had any ideas of what could be causing this ?