Must I replace the auto tensioner?

[juntjoo]

I'm doing the timing belt. Car is at 100k and previous owner claims belt was done at 70k(how often do belts fail after 30k?) but never asked about the auto tensioner. Do I really need to replace this thing? I'm running short on cash and am not sure if this tensioner needs replacing. As you can see it's dirty up in there and the outside was dirtier before I cleaned it off a little and the manual says replace if it appears to have leaked oil although it's not like is clean under the timing belt cover (how clean should it be?). It compresses and decompresses fine as far as I can tell although, and maybe this is the key, it takes about 20-30 lbs of pressure to compress -pretty easy, but ONLY after I compressed it for the 1st time which was a bi*** and took about 100lbs of pressure. Opinions? BTW, what's that little hole in the butt for?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[92AWDHX40]

While your there change the pulleys too, maybe water pump, cheap insurance.

 

[pos4g63]

Check the tensioner arm too. A lot of people dont bother to look at this part but over time the tensioner will put a divot in the arm where they contact and it can actually affect its ability to properly tension.

 

[juntjoo]

Do you have the 1.8L or 2.0 n/t?

I found the 2.0 for $77.05.

Not sure if the turbo and n/t use the same tensioner.

I'm rocking big 2.0 baby

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[juntjoo]

While your there change the pulleys too, maybe water pump, cheap insurance.

Yeah, I got all those parts

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[juntjoo]

Check the tensioner arm too. A lot of people dont bother to look at this part but over time the tensioner will put a divot in the arm where they contact and it can actually affect its ability to properly tension.

You mean like this??

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[famousdsm]

its always good changing tensioner, if you don't really know when was the last time it was changed. better than replacing valves.

 

[juntjoo]

Partsdinorsaur.com has the OEM tensioner for $78, it's made by the same company that makes the OEM ones, just not branded "OEM."

That's for up to the 92 models no? I'm seeing $98 for my 93 model, but I can never trust my phone. Don't have a comp on hand atm.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[92AWDHX40]

EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts

i got mine 90 block for under 100 bucks a few years ago, its going to cost around 100 bucks maybe few dollars less depending on where you shop.

 

[pos4g63]

Yeah when you have a divot like that it may be a good idea to change it out. Its like 33.00 bucks from many supporting vendors or at a dealership.

 

[juntjoo]

Alright. Thanks and thanks!

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[91darkdsm]

u should most definitely change it if your doing timing belt. Its cheap and could mean the difference in a running or dead car. i skimped out on mine and guess what, it didnt hold proper tension and i jumped time during a wot pull, that $50 part ended up costing me around 600. one thing u learn dealing with dsm's is dont half ass it,

 

[TSiAWDRatlemstr]

There I was... Fresh timing belt install, running like a champ, then it happened... Right there in the Home Depot parking lot. I wish I would have spent the money on the tensioner. The tensioner was within spec, but my valves didn't care. I didn't think that it would ever happen. Anyway, I wouldn't cheap out on that one.

 

[juntjoo]

Yeah, I ended up changing it out

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk