Tensioner pully vs. belt tensioner. Which one to replace?

[sharkbait689]

I hear people on hear recommend replacing the tensioner when doing a timing belt job. My question is: are they referring to the tensioner pulley itself (the one that contacts the timing belt directly) or the timing belt tensioner, which is that weird looking thing with the grenade pin that compresses.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

when replacing the belt you replace EVERY pulley and the tensioner aswell, not 1 or the other.

 

[DSM1G90]

I'd be doing both since they both work equally hard to ensure proper belt tension, along with the idler pulley as well.

Do you change the oil but not the filter? Same difference.

-DSM

 

[sharkbait689]

For reference, heres the other tensioner im talking about, apparently its called the tensioner hydraulic assembly? What does this part even do? I put very few miles on my Talon so if this is a part that degrades with mileage, rather than time, i probably wont worry about it.
T43215,CARQUEST T43215 Engine Timing Belt Tensioner Hydraulic Assembly for DODGE,EAGLE,MITSUBISHI

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Its both milage and time. Since timing should be done every 60k or 4 years but if your doing the job do it right and change it all.

Thats the hydraulic tensioner and is the part that applys correct tension on the bearing

 

[Dsmkauai]

Like others have said if your doing a timing job replace everything that's there at the same time. This will include the timing belt, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, hydraulic tensioner, balance shaft belt and balance shaft tensioner pulley(if you have still), water pump with gasket and new oring. I would even do the 2 cam seals and 1 crank seal while I'm in there and the 3 belts (p/s and alt) or 2 if you have no a/c!!

 

[sharkbait689]

One more question (i dont want to make a new thread). Is the thermostat located in the same area as the timing belt? i.e. should i have the thermostat replaced as well? My temperature gauge hasnt worked in a while and im not sure why, but obviously the thermostat is a possible suspect.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Try replacing your temp sensor! Follow the upper hose on your radiator towards the motor. You will run into your thermostat housing which holds the thermostat and on the sides has the temp sensor. Make sure you get the sensor that says with gauge! Could also be wiring or even the gauge it self in the cluster, but a new sensor is only $12-20 so might be worth a try first.

 

[sharkbait689]

That one i can probably do myself. So youre saying its not really close to the timing belt, water pump, etc? If it was close id just have it replaced along with everything else in that area.

 

[Dsmkauai]

No other side of motor above the trans, just follow the upper hose and you will see! Thermostat housing comes off with like 2 12mm bolts I think, really easy to do. And the sensor just turns out with a wrench not sure the size but you could use a crescent wrench on it if needed, or just try a wrench till one fits, id guess 14-15mm

 

[DSM1G90]

Temp sensor uses an 18mm deep well socket, where the sending unit can be had with a 12 or 13mm deep well socket. Put teflon tape on the threads of the new unit prior to installation if the factory didn't already added some red thread sealant on the new unit.

Also, these units are made of brass so don't get too crazy on really tightening them down and making sure it gets started in the threaded hole nice and square, and if using a crescent, or open end wrench, pay attention in not dinging up the brass too much since brass is such a soft metal.

When my temp sensor went out, it prevented me from starting the car since it fooled the ECU so bad.

With my sending unit (be the smaller unit to the right of the temp sensor), the connection tang broke off with the wire immediately touching chassis causing the needle to peg over to hot real quick while I was driving on the freeway-scared me to no end on thinking my HG went through the roof.

Going back on the pulley thing: I did a belt on a 1.8 and the tensioner pulley was so bad, that when you spun it, there was absolutely no grease resistance under the race cover, along there was terrible bearing noise - it was definitely time for a changeout..in which I immediately did along with the new belt.

Good luck - DSM