Serpentine Belt Tensioner Replacement (1 Viewer)

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I think the noises are more belt related then anything else. If you drive in dusty environment, get the belts wet on water crossings, engine washings etc- eventually even new belts and pulleys will squeak from dust & water intrusion. Try removing the belt, spraying it down with water and drying it with a clean cloth by pulling the belt through your hand & cloth- clean all of the pulley surfaces with a degreaser (isopropyl alcohol) reinstall belt. Or just replace the belt.

I have the superceded tensioner as of March 2018 ( I don't recall the mfg origin) and for 2 years no noises- I dont think its the problem. After last summer Colorado trip I developed a subtle belt squeak on cold starts that lasts only for a few min until the belt warms up. It's more annoying than a mechanical concern. All the spinning components except A/C compressor and vane pump are new OEM components including belts in past 3yrs. I pulled accessory drive belt (serpentine) ran the engine- thankfully no timing belt noise, then spun pulleys and didn't notice any bearing noise, grinding, looseness, or excessive spinning. I cleaned all the pulley surfaces, then took a microfiber and cleaned the accessory drive belt- no chemicals just pulling the belt through the cloth to remove any dust buildup. Reinstalled and no noise for the first couple of days then a faint belt noise returned. Its a subtle belt squeal that diminishes shortly after start up- usually by the time the fan clutch disengages. I'm not too concerned but the next step would be to try a new OEM belt.
 
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I think the noises are more belt related then anything else. If you drive in dusty environment, get the belts wet on water crossings, engine washings etc- eventually even new belts and pulleys will squeak from dust & water intrusion. Try removing the belt, spraying it down with water and drying it with a clean cloth by pulling the belt through your hand & cloth- clean all of the pulley surfaces with a degreaser (isopropyl alcohol) reinstall belt. Or just replace the belt.

I have the superceded tensioner as of March 2018 ( I don't recall the mfg origin) and for 2 years no noises- I dont think its the problem. After last summer Colorado trip I developed a subtle belt squeak on cold starts that lasts only for a few min until the belt warms up. It's more annoying than a mechanical concern. All the spinning components except A/C compressor and vane pump are new OEM components including belts in past 3yrs. I pulled accessory drive belt (serpentine) ran the engine- thankfully no timing belt noise, then spun pulleys and didn't notice any bearing noise, grinding, looseness, or excessive spinning. I cleaned all the pulley surfaces, then took a microfiber and cleaned the accessory drive belt- no chemicals just pulling the belt through the cloth to remove any dust buildup. Reinstalled and no noise for the first couple of days then a faint belt noise returned. Its a subtle belt squeal that diminishes shortly after start up- usually by the time the fan clutch disengages. I'm not too concerned but the next step would be to try a new OEM belt.
I have the same symptoms as you but I am a few steps ahead as far as replacing possible culprits go. Swapped new OEM belt twice with no luck. PS pump is brand new and it's my understanding the bearings are within the pump. Alternator is new, then it failed, and Toyota swapped out for another new unit. I was hoping that was the culprit but it's still there. Popped the serp belt off and the noise went away so I can rule out anything timing belt related.


Like you said, a good conclusion is it's not anything to major to worry about it's just annoying. I'll just think of it as birds chirping on a nice cool morning.
 
Thank you for posting the pictures with the difference between the new and old tensioners.
I was thinking I had the wrong part

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Thank you for posting the pictures with the difference between the new and old tensioners.
I was thinking I had the wrong part

View attachment 2718919

Nice picture comparing the two.

Anyone out there have any issues after switching to this tensioner with the smaller pulley?

I am still chasing an annoying squealing and I don't know what else to blame other than the tensioner since all of my other pulley driven components have been replaced with OEM.
 
Nice picture comparing the two.

Anyone out there have any issues after switching to this tensioner with the smaller pulley?

I am still chasing an annoying squealing and I don't know what else to blame other than the tensioner since all of my other pulley driven components have been replaced with OEM.
You sure it's not a timing belt pulley squeaking? I'm dealing with that now
 
You sure it's not a timing belt pulley squeaking? I'm dealing with that now

Removing the serpentine belt and running the engine for a minute will quickly reveal whether it is external 'accessories' related or under the covers for the timing belt/water pump. Provided BOTH aren't squeaking. ;)
 
You sure it's not a timing belt pulley squeaking? I'm dealing with that now
When I remove the belt the noise goes away so it could be the bearing on the fan bracket but the big thing to note with my rig is within the past 6 months I have replaced every single spinning pulley and component along the timing belt and serpentine belt. If the belt spins it, It's been replaced
 
When I remove the belt the noise goes away so it could be the bearing on the fan bracket but the big thing to note with my rig is within the past 6 months I have replaced every single spinning pulley and component along the timing belt and serpentine belt. If the belt spins it, It's been replaced

Alternartor?

Some components won't make a noise when spun by hand....but when a 'load' is put on them, they will.

Also, check the two bolts down by the A/C compressor that thread into the Fan Bracket. Not uncommon to find those loose and cause a rattle or squeak.
 
Alternartor?

Some components won't make a noise when spun by hand....but when a 'load' is put on them, they will.

Also, check the two bolts down by the A/C compressor that thread into the Fan Bracket. Not uncommon to find those loose and cause a rattle or squeak.

Thanks for the reply.

Alternator is brand new, I hate to use this word but "literally" everything that is being spun by a belt has been replaced.

You may be on to something with the AC compressor bolts as I paid Toyota to do a new AC pulley/clutch and power steering rack...possibly they messed with the compressor.

I assume I could just pop the belt off and give it a wiggle to see if there is any play? Unfortunately now that the temps are hotter in the morning the noise is less noticeable. Probably just going to say screw it for now and see if it comes back when the cold weather returns as I don't think anything is on the verge of failing.
 
Hi everyone,

I just about to complete a pulley swap for a friend on a 2000 LC with the Original tensioner whose bearing failed. Not wanting to change the entire mechanism at this point made the search for the part a little harder. I will do the whole thing on the other side of the winter.

After trying a few other items I settled on what looks to be the perfect identical replacement to the original 4" pulley for the tensioner.

I will come back to update once this is fitted which should be in the next day or two.

Please let us know if you have tried this pulley. I don't see it mentioned more than a few times on this site so figured I would share.
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Don’t have high expectations for that Chinese bearing in your new pulley to last very long. Best interim option is to keep the pulley, and replace bearing with an equivalent Koyo or NSK (or even SKF) bearing. Easily pressed or knocked out and in.
 
Don’t have high expectations for that Chinese bearing in your new pulley to last very long. Best interim option is to keep the pulley, and replace bearing with an equivalent Koyo or NSK (or even SKF) bearing. Easily pressed or knocked out and in.
Yes, I agree. Just no time for that at the moment as I don’t have the tools to do that. And yes I’ve done it before. I’ve replaced lots across many types of mechanisms. This is about a replacement pulley that fits and is available for the old style tensioner. As a hoarder of parts I will fix up the old one and have it as a spare. A new oem tensioner and pulley is the answer though.
 
Don’t have high expectations for that Chinese bearing in your new pulley to last very long. Best interim option is to keep the pulley, and replace bearing with an equivalent Koyo or NSK (or even SKF) bearing. Easily pressed or knocked out and in.
Have you tried to freshen up the bearings by popping off the red dust cover and packing with grease as an alternative to buying new?
 
Have you tried to freshen up the bearings by popping off the red dust cover and packing with grease as an alternative to buying new?
Once contaminated you can’t freshen up a worn bearing. If you could remove the dust cover with out damaging it and add some grease, it’s just buying a little time.

if the tensioner isnt shot-(most are by the time the bearing fails), find a replacement bearing, maybe $10?

Post in thread 'Serpentine Belt Tensioner Replacement'

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Serpentine Belt Tensioner Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/serpentine-belt-tensioner-replacement.71396/post-12004525
 
Once contaminated you can’t freshen up a worn bearing.

I have had good luck by cleaning them with brake cleaner and then compressed air to dry them out quickly. Repeat if necessary. Re-pack with synthetic grease. I do this with every timing belt job.

An example: Factory tensioner and idler bearings on our LS. Just did the 3rd timing belt job at 280k miles. Unfortunately, I did have to replace the fan pulley bracket as the bearing is not serviceable.
 
Nice fix @white_lx

The main issue I find with drive belt pulley bearings. Is the bearings seal fails.

I find this often, during radiator fin washing. Water gets into bearing and bearing squeals. Replace bearing and you can wash all day, without issue.

Where one can pull seal, clean and repack bearing. I don't know of a way to replace or restore its seal, to keep moisture out..?
 
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How much does a new bearing cost? It's a really easy job to just whack the old bearing out and replace it.
 
Hey @Mike NXP , did you figure out if the noise is from the tensioner with the smaller pulley?

I'm collecting parts for my timing belt that's due soon, and ordered a new tensioner that came with the smaller pulley, no idea if the one I have on now is OEM or has been replaced in the past, but it's def. bigger than the new one. I see that partsouq includes this smaller pulley tensioner as direct replacement, and also 2 options if you want to replace only the pulley.

Part# 166200W101 for the whole tensioner, small pulley.

Part# 166030W030 for the pulley alone, I guess it's the small one based on pics.

Part# 166030W010 for the pulley, looks like it's the big one.

Not sure I want to replace only the pulley, since I have no idea how old my tensioner is, but don't want squeeks from the smaller pulley either. BTW, got a continental serpentine belt since I had good luck with them in the past, and it's 1/3 of the OEM price..

Planning the job for the next couple of weeks, so got time to change parts still.
 
Hey @Mike NXP , did you figure out if the noise is from the tensioner with the smaller pulley?

I'm collecting parts for my timing belt that's due soon, and ordered a new tensioner that came with the smaller pulley, no idea if the one I have on now is OEM or has been replaced in the past, but it's def. bigger than the new one. I see that partsouq includes this smaller pulley tensioner as direct replacement, and also 2 options if you want to replace only the pulley.

Part# 166200W101 for the whole tensioner, small pulley.

Part# 166030W030 for the pulley alone, I guess it's the small one based on pics.

Part# 166030W010 for the pulley, looks like it's the big one.

Not sure I want to replace only the pulley, since I have no idea how old my tensioner is, but don't want squeeks from the smaller pulley either. BTW, got a continental serpentine belt since I had good luck with them in the past, and it's 1/3 of the OEM price..

Planning the job for the next couple of weeks, so got time to change parts still.
In regards to the two different size pulleys it's my understanding, from these forums and Toyota parts guy, that we are A-OK using the smaller pulley just make sure you pair it with the new style tensioner.

My noises really came from all over and at this point I have replaced every belt driven spinning part under the hood =] Idler pulleys are the most likely culprit of noise. Fan bracket tends to fail as well. With the belt off and spinning pulleys you should be able to identify what needs replacing.
 
In regards to the two different size pulleys it's my understanding, from these forums and Toyota parts guy, that we are A-OK using the smaller pulley just make sure you pair it with the new style tensioner.

My noises really came from all over and at this point I have replaced every belt driven spinning part under the hood =] Idler pulleys are the most likely culprit of noise. Fan bracket tends to fail as well. With the belt off and spinning pulleys you should be able to identify what needs replacing.
Thanks for the reply, hope you find the noise culprit.

Since I have absolutely no idea who did my last timing belt, and what was replaced, I ordered pretty much everything, including all pulleys, bracket, tensioner and belt.

Had good luck with the Continental belt in a few Chryslers 3.8's, that engine is really prone to rolling belt noises, and tried every belt possible till I installed the Continental, is seems softer and more pliable, so it might not be as strong, but it's very quiet, and forgiving when pulleys don't line up properly. Never broke one.

Have you tried different belt brands? What happens when you spray liquid on the running belt? Does it get quiet for a few secs or it accentuates the noise?

Also considering ordering an alternator while I'm in there, mine is perfect but also, unknown history, and if it's the OEM, it's 280k miles old..
 

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