Brand New Serpentine / Drive Belt Tensioner - Tension Test with Torque Wrench

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Joined
Aug 5, 2019
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Location
Pittsburgh, PA / Denver, CO
Hello Forum,
I read somewhere, not sure where, that the tension on a Brand New Serpentine / Drive Belt Tensioner should be around 23 Ft Lbs.
Based on a test I just performed, this is not the case, unless I tested a Bad New Tensioner.

The tension can be tested by using a Torque Wrench and a 14mm Socket, with the Torque Wrench setup for Counterclockwise (Typically Loosening...) Operation.

I tried this test on a Brand New from Toyota Serpentine Belt Tensioner.
Part Number 16620-0W101.

My Torque Wrench clicks prior to the Tensioner moving up until around 13 Ft Lbs.
It Moves a Little at 13 Ft Lbs.
It Moves a Little More at 14 Ft Lbs.
And the Tensioner Fully Moves / Rotates pretty much the entire way at around 15 Ft Lbs.

I test the Tension when doing a Timing Belt / Water Pump Service to make sure I'm not putting back on bad / inadequate parts.

This is the 1st Time I've tested a Brand New One.
If 15 Ft Lbs is the approximate Tension of a Brand New Tensioner, what Tension should be considered bad / not a passing value?

Anyone else doing this test?

Thank you.
Tom
 
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