Stupid Question - bad tensioner?

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Derrick Willis

Derrick Willis

Joined
Apr 29, 2005
Threads
16
Messages
166
Location
Southern California
Hi Guys,
I think I have bad tensioner, but wanted to get confirmation. I have a 99 with a TRD S/C with a 140K mi. The belt starting squealing a bit ago. I only squeals under load; can't seem to get it to squeal when in the driveway with the hood up. Pulleys look fine, belt looks fine. I can move the tensioner pretty easy (under 18 ft-lbs as that is the lowest setting in my torque wrench). I can turn the fan pulley by hand against the tension of the belt. Seems like a bad tensioner to me. Am I missing anything? thanks
 
If you can move the fan pulley by hand you definitely have a tension issue.
Most likely the tensioner but another thing to consider, though, is has the belt ever been replaced....and with one that is maybe too long?
 
badlander said:
If you can move the fan pulley by hand you definitely have a tension issue.
Most likely the tensioner but another thing to consider, though, is has the belt ever been replaced....and with one that is maybe too long?
Click to expand...

It never used to squeal - no belt replacement recently. Thanks for the confirmation. I will order a tensioner from CDan.
 
If you can see the pulley shudder and hop a bit with the belt spinning, it's time to replace. When I pulled mine for replacement, was surprised it was still functioning given the failed bearings. Definitely put the serp belt tensioner on the standard 200k service list.
 
Take off your SC and send it to me, and Ill send you my intake. Should fix it right up. :)
 
I have a 1999 with the SC and started getting some tensioner squeak. I ordered the tensioner from CDan, great price. After I replaced my tensioner, I needed a different size gates belt, so just a heads up if you have problems fitting the belt afterwards.
 
options2 said:
Take off your SC and send it to me, and Ill send you my intake. Should fix it right up. :)
Click to expand...

Tempting offer, but I kind of got used the whine....:)
 
lrowe_csp said:
I have a 1999 with the SC and started getting some tensioner squeak. I ordered the tensioner from CDan, great price. After I replaced my tensioner, I needed a different size gates belt, so just a heads up if you have problems fitting the belt afterwards.
Click to expand...

TRD specifies a 2630mm long belt for the S/C. Did you have to go with a longer one after replacing your tensioner?
 
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