anybody have issues with tensioners ?

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The wife's rig started making some pretty odd noises last week when it got really cold. At first it wasn't much, then on a few occasions (like today) it got really bad. It sounded like the belt chirping or a bad pulley bearing. There's a lot going on up front and its hard to isolate it. However, after running my stethoscope around I feel like I pegged it down to the tensioner area. When I started playing around with it I noticed the little washer on the front felt loose. Turns out the bolt was a bit loose as well. I tightened everything up and it seems to have fixed it for now. I'm wondering if anyone else has had issues with this. If I hear it again it might just get a new tensioner.
 
I replace mine per timing belt/water pump service interval. On my third set.
 
It's PM when you replace the timing belt/waterpump on the V8s. It's really simple to replace the tensioner pulley on these (same as the idler pulleys), but a total pain to get to the tensioner assembly. With everything removed for the timing belt, it's silly not to do it then.

On the V6's, I've heard it's much easier to replace the tensioner assembly.
 
The TB and WP parts kit comes with tensioner and idle pulleys
 
I started getting some strange belt squeals this week. My steering now squeals at full lock on both sides (instead of the normal stressed sound). Also, if I floor it from a dead stop, it sounds like I have a supercharger. Are these some of the symptoms of bad tensioner or idle pulleys? I read somewhere it might be a power steering pump.
 
I started getting some strange belt squeals this week. My steering now squeals at full lock on both sides (instead of the normal stressed sound). Also, if I floor it from a dead stop, it sounds like I have a supercharger. Are these some of the symptoms of bad tensioner or idle pulleys? I read somewhere it might be a power steering pump.
Probably the tensioner or just a worn belt. Mine occasionally gives me a brief squeal on startup. It’s due for a timing belt in 10k so I’m going to do it all then.
 
Are we talking about timing belt tensioner or serpentine belt tensioner here? The serpentine belt tensioner doesn't come with any timing belt kit that I've seen.

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Are we talking about timing belt tensioner or serpentine belt tensioner here? The serpentine belt tensioner doesn't come with any timing belt kit that I've seen.

The serpentine belt (aka drive belt) has its own tensioner that doesn't come in the water pump kit. My serpentine belt tensioner is a little off, so the belt is visibly a few mm off the tensioner. No noise. Everything is working fine, but my mechanic noticed that it will need replacing at some point.
 
If he could put a stethoscope on it while running, we’re talking about the drive belt tensioner.
That's what I thought, but with the repeated comments of replacing it with the timing belt service got me wanting to clarify.
 
That's what I thought, but with the repeated comments of replacing it with the timing belt service got me wanting to clarify.
Ya, I can see where it’s confusing. The idler and timing belt tensioner obviously get replaced during the timing belt, but I’m also doing my serpentine tensioner and idler during my timing belt as well.
 
Had the same thing happen, water pumped bracket seemed to be a culprit, replaced all pulley's, belts, water pump...problem solsol


And then my wife's car started doing it!
 

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