Tensioner

[kspharris]

Is there a cheap(cost only) place to buy a timing belt tensioner??? What about eBay ones? Are they all around $80.00?

 

[LKWTSI]

Using the old adage." you get what you pay for", don't look to skimp on timing belt parts, that being said, I bought mine at Parts Dinosaur $78 4G63 4G63T Timing Belt Tensioner Adjuster 89 - 92 All engines incl. turbo

ExtremePSI has it for $98 EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts - OEM Timing Belt Tensioner Adjuster : Mitsubishi Eclipse 90-92

A few bucks here or there for shipping is probably the only significant difference.

 

[gusu]

If you don't get a OEM one expect it to break.

 

[kspharris]

If you don't get a OEM one expect it to break.

Why?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Why?

Because they use inferior parts and materials in most cases when compared to OEM. It's just better to go with the good stuff in such a critical application.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

With something that can trash your entire engine, you do not want to use cheap shit. Buy an OEM tensioner.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

If you actually look, some of those ebay tensioners are the EXACT same unit as the OEM units. Some suppliers on there are actually the OEM suppliers as well.

 

[WeaselHack]

Are you nuts? Skimping on the tensioner is like running a frayed timing belt. If your tensioner goes you'll jump time and bye bye head. I've personally gone thru 3 cheap-o tensioners and was lucky enough to catch it before it did damage.

Spend the extra $30 or so and buy a genuine Mitsu tensioner.

 

[blessed1gst]

not worth the risk . . . go OEM

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

I risk it. I like to live dangerously I've bought my last 3 tensioners off ebay.

 

[92AWDHX40]

We all have our choices, OEM.

 

[noV8undrDIShood]

OEM.. no question about it

 

[kspharris]

No one has really answered my question about why, except one sorta. What is there to mess up? The metal case, the metal push rod the sealsnaybe? Idk I did say cheapest cost wise without lacking quality sorry if I wasn't clear enough. I don't have a mitsu dealer close are the Autozone ones ok? Thanks all

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Basically the entire assembly should be considered as inferior. Considering that they have to sell it cheaper, they have to make the tensioner using cheaper parts and material. Some may use weak seals, some may use weaker casing, but the fact remains that something is weaker.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

No one has really answered my question about why, except one sorta. What is there to mess up? The metal case, the metal push rod the sealsnaybe? Idk I did say cheapest cost wise without lacking quality sorry if I wasn't clear enough. I don't have a mitsu dealer close are the Autozone ones ok? Thanks all

We've already stated why you should buy OEM. Anything other than OEM and you are flirting with disaster. If it fails you will jump time and bend valves. Some say they have had good luck with aftermarket tensioners and some have not, so again, you can make your own decision on that.

The cheapest cost without losing quality would be..... You guessed it OEM

So now it's time to either go OEM or roll the dice and go somewhere else. Good luck.

 

[ramsack]

Does everyone really think Mitsubishi devotes its time to actually make tensioners? They pay someone to do it and pay them to print their name on it. You're getting the same parts without a diamond star on it. When stuff fails people will blame parts store parts rather than their own work. People also give parts store parts a bad name when they are remanufactured or rebuilt parts. You can only polish a turd so much, too. Making car parts is not rocket science for companies that make car parts.

 

[PWR4HIM]

I would say ramsack is correct to some extent. I am a dealer tech (BMW) by trade and see a LOT of crappy aftermarket parts, that are simply not as good quality by any means.

If it was brake pads, or a brake line, gaskets, thermostat, any simple stuff that doesn't involve hours of labor to put it...sure save some $$ and go to autozone. In my opinion, if the said part is in an area of the car that you don't want to do twice or if the said part will cause expensive damage to other parts when it fails then it is a wise investment to go with OEM. A lot of aftermarket parts say "lifetime warranty." Well thats all fine and dandy but when the part fails and causes 1,000 bucks worth of damage and takes a whole weekend of time to put in for the second time I would rather have spent the extra and gone OEM.

You said you don't have a dealer close to you...you should be able to call the closest one and have the part shipped to you. I know the dealer I work for ships probably 10 or more packages a day to people

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Does everyone really think Mitsubishi devotes its time to actually make tensioners? They pay someone to do it and pay them to print their name on it. You're getting the same parts without a diamond star on it.

Nobody ever said they thought Misu makes the tensioners. I as well as some others simply expressed the fact that if you want to BE SURE that you are getting a quality part it's best to go OEM. Do you really think that every X brand tensioner is going to be the exact same quality as the OEM one? But hey... To each his own.

 

[ramsack]

There's a difference between buying some Chinese wholesale crap off eBay and going to a parts store and purchasing a part that is actually warranted. If one sets tension correctly then the hydraulic tensioner letting go of tension isn't going to skip teeth, as the gap between the hydraulic tensioner body and the tensioner arm is pretty small. Now you can adjust it so there is a 1/4 gap if you want and still have proper tension, but if the hydraulic tensioner lets go with that much gap then there is a major chance of skipping teeth. A Felpro head gasket is cheaper than an OEM one but found to be just as good. Most of the price of OEM parts is the fact that they are not being bought by Mitsubishi anymore so the supply goes down versus the demand, along with their name being on them. One can use good enough judgement when buying parts. If you get a water pump from a parts store, look at it before you leave. If it looks like crap and has a plastic impeller then tell them it's a piece of shit and you want a refund.