With another snow storm coming this weekend I'm going to take it all apart again and redo. It was definitely the serpentine belt tensioner. Making the pop.
Hello 2dub,
What was the resolution?
I hope it's all good.
Every time I do a timing belt / water pump job, I do the following test prior to removing the serpentine belt tensioner.
Drive Belt Tensioner Test
- The Bolt on the Serpentine Belt Tensioner Pulley is Reverse Thread. So to Check the Tension on the Pulley, you turn it Counterclockwise (i.e. Like you are Loosening a “Normal” Bolt).
- Using a Torque Wrench with a 14mm Socket, check to see how many Ft Lbs it takes to Release the Tension on the Tensioner. It should take approximately 22 Ft Lbs.
- I Start at 10 Ft Lbs on the Torque Wrench, and the Torque Wrench should Click before the Tensioner Moves. Then I work my way up in 2 Ft Lbs increments.
- The Torque Wrench should Click before the Tensioner Moves until you get to at least 20 Ft Lbs.
- If the Tensioner Moves before the Torque Wrench Clicks prior to setting the Torque Wrench to 20 Ft Lbs, the Tensioner has Failed the Test.
I only use Toyota Parts from my local Toyota Dealer.
So, if I install a New Serpentine Belt Tensioner, I don't test it.
I assume Toyota has good quality control
I would suggest to anyone installing a New Aftermarket Serpentine Belt Tensioner to use the Test procedure above to make sure it's applying the correct tension.
Happy Wrenching!
Tom
