Tensioner and Idler Pulley as Preventive Maintenance or Not?

[KMGHMG]

I've spent an hour or so on the forum trying to figure this one out. Should we consider as preventive maintenance replacing the serpentine/drive belt tensioner and idler pulley? Or, do we just wait until they start showing signs of failure. From my reading of the forum, it SEEMS that they fail infrequently and give 100-150 miles of warning. However, at 125k at this point, I wonder if it's time. Mine appear to function normally right now, but I don't want to risk a failure. How common is a failure of these components?

 

[spressomon]

I think the answer depends how far you venture outside of AAA/etc., reasonable towing distance/cost and/or your tolerance for inconvenient parts swap on the side of the road/trail. For where I take my rig I opt to not wait until failure on these types of components.

Having said that I had an upper serpentine belt idler bearing that squeaked at me for a couple months. But I carried the new idler in the truck...and swap out is an easy quick affair even on the side of the road if necessary. The larger serpentine belt tensioner is a bit more complex...so I opted to swap in new at my 90k (actually 120k PM ).

 

[TXLX100]

I'd be on the fence at 125k. The next 90k won't be until 215k. I kind of feel like it's okay to pass on that at the first 90k and definitely do it at the second. If you can swing it, do it I say (if you are referring to optional parts that are timing belt related).

 

[KMGHMG]

I'd be on the fence at 125k. The next 90k won't be until 215k. I kind of feel like it's okay to pass on that at the first 90k and definitely do it at the second. If you can swing it, do it I say (if you are referring to optional parts that are timing belt related).

TX, I'm actually referring only to the tensioner and idler related to the drive/serpentine belt, not the timing belt.

 

[TXLX100]

TX, I'm actually referring only to the tensioner and idler related to the drive/serpentine belt, not the timing belt.

Ah. Go with the spressomon recommendation!