Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Belt Tensioner Questions

[ILIANBG]

Hi everybody,

Had an engine flush done yesterday ( at the dealer-I was not sure if I was going to do a good job by myself) and the tech had told the service writer that I need a belt tensioner " badly". So after she brings me there, the guy says that it's bad, looks that there's signs of rust around the pulley.

When I asked why do I need to change it ,he said it's not supposed to look like this, and that I could have early engine failure. He said that might restrict the belt to run smooth.

How do I find out if the tensioner is trully bad? I do not trust the guy.

I haven't noticed any strange sound coming from there. I replaced the belt myself at around 60000 mi. with a Gatorback. Truck has 67000 mi now.

If it is bad where is the best place to buy new one? Is there a Heavy Duty aftermarket version for these trucks?

Any information is highly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Supermod56]

Take it off, clean the rust off and re-install. They are trying to sell you something you don't need, imagine that. Engine failure??? All that is gonna happen is the belt will fall off, unless you keep going without the water pump turning, you are not going to have "engine failure". With your mileage, you still have a ways to go before you will need to replace it. You can check that it turns freely with no noise when you have it off. Don't know of any aftermarket part for that.



Tom

 

[ILIANBG]

Thank you. I did not think I need to replace it, since it has no strange behavior.

I will keep my eye on it and I will try to clean it.

I appreciate the help.

Ilian

 

[GCULP]

When I asked why do I need to change it ,he said it's not supposed to look like this

you should have asked another tech to come over and have him to work on it, and when the first one asks why, tell him, cuz your not supposed to look like this.



If it's not squealing or causing the belt to fail then there's nothing wrong. How many parts that start out clean and end up with rust on them and still work perfectly? a lot.

 

[rweis]

Seems like I remember a member makes a metal pulley to replace the plastic one.



Bob Weis

 

[GiesJ]

My truck is squealing pretty good. Used some belt dressing and that has only helped a little. When it rains it seems the squealing gets worse. I see a pulley that looks to be jumping a little bit at idle. Any thoughts?

thank you,

jason

 

[ILIANBG]

Ha, this thread is back. It seems when the tensioner is bad, it makes noise, as I imagined before. If I understand correctly in the service manual is mentioned that the tensioner is serviced as one piece, but from the reply above from RWEIS, sounds that it may be two separate pieces. I hope we get more info from people who have done this before.

Ilian

 

[CAW440]

I've replaced two of them on another guys 2 trucks, real easy,I think the brand on both was Dayco, and the last one was under $35. 00. Both the trucks made like a shing shing noise but never failed completly . By the way when you changed to the Gatorback belt did the shut down "chirp" go away,mine did and I really miss it,no more strange looks, except the ones from my wife.

 

[B.G. Smith]

My truck is squealing pretty good. Used some belt dressing and that has only helped a little. When it rains it seems the squealing gets worse. I see a pulley that looks to be jumping a little bit at idle. Any thoughts?

thank you,

jason

The jumping is normal or at least it is on mine. It has always jumped around at idle. You can buy the pulley or the whole assembly as needed. If it is throwing or damaging the belt then you need the assembly, I have replaced the pulley on mine twicw by 120,000 miles. Mine started making high pitched whistle type noise at idle. Couldn't hear it in the truck. Here is pulley. bg http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=808&searchfor=Belt+Tensioner+Pulley&ptset=A

 

[Joe Mc]

I tried to buy the tensioner at several places and kept getting something that didn't even come close - I ended up geting it @ Cummins. As far as the pully I think a member was making one that eliminated the "Chirp" but don't think it's still available? I didn't replace till I had over 130k.

 

[Boondocker]

Check this place Plug It Right .com. They are TDR supporters.

 

[ANG012]

Mine made a noise at the pulley so i took the pulley off popped the grease seals off the front and the back, repacked the bearings with wheel bearing grease reinstalled the pulley and the noise went away. My truck has 175000 miles and has the original belt tensioner.

 

[GiesJ]

Mine made a noise at the pulley so i took the pulley off popped the grease seals off the front and the back, repacked the bearings with wheel bearing grease reinstalled the pulley and the noise went away. My truck has 175000 miles and has the original belt tensioner.

dumb question - but which pulley are you talking about? I would like to try to do this cause the sound is driving me nuts.

thanks

jason

 

[ANG012]

It is the pulley on the belt tensioner it self. Take the belt off then there is one bolt that holds the tensioner on. Then there is one screw that holds the pulley on. Take the big screw out of the pulley and remove the pulley and you will see the grease seals. When you put the belt tensioner back on there is a round tab on the back of the belt tensioner that has to go back in the hole on the bracket on the engine.