Thoughts on Timing Belt Tensioner

[Dr. Tweak]

I'm about to put everything together again from my lower 60k, and I was feeling my timing belt tensioner. It has me a little worried. When I spin it, it makes a sound kind of like there's sand in it. I'm afraid the bearing isn't too healthy anymore (159k miles). There's no play in it and it's not real bad, I think it might be fine... but I wanted some feedback on it.

So whaddya think?

 

[AutoSHO]

Replace it.

 

[Rob94]

Fred replace my timing belt tensioner because my original one was howling like a monkey. We replaced it with a used one he had laying around, which made that "scratchy" sound when spun by hand. Kirk spun a BRAND NEW tensioner meant for a Mustang I believe, and it made the same sound. Point is, replace it if it makes you feel more comfortable, but the new ones it seems makes that scratchy sound as well. I contacted Tori at FPN and he does carry the tensioners for MTX, I believe they were $100.

 

[Rockledge]

When I did my Front 60K just recently, I took off the timing belt tensioner because it had that same scratchy sound when spinning. I ended up cleaning it real good with solvent and compressed air, and then I sprayed a little penetrating oil into the moving parts and worked that in real good.

The process seemed to work very well, freeing up the pulley to spin nice and free with no scratchy sound.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Penetrating oil is a good idea, however if you can get a little grease in there it would be better. You can get an attachment for grease guns that has a very small pointy tip that works well.

I use an epoxy syringe from my fiber optic business with clear grease on the really small bearings.

My wife's Grandfather taught me how to fix even sealed bearings with a small hole punched in the metal seal cover and then resealed with solder. Neat trick and sure saves trying to find out of date bearings.

Tom

 

[sdpatt]

A caution on trying to clean sealed bearings. If you wipe the dirt and dust covered exterior with a towel, you are more likely to press the debris into the bearing, doing more harm than good. You must clean it off with care while being aware of this situation.

The seals around the edges of the timing belt covers are designed to prevent the intrusion of external debris into the timing belt area. The belt dust alone is a constant source of foreign material on the tensioner's bearing surface, but leaving off the upper timing belt cover (as some have done to look "cool") can speed the deterioration of the timing belt, tensioner and crankshaft position sensor. Keep those timing belt covers on!

The 3.0L's timing belt tensioner pulley is apparently capable of living a very long life as the component in my engine is the original part. At the last belt change at 269,000 miles, the tensioner spun quite freely in silence. There was the indicative sound of a roller bearing inaction, but no grinding sounds or undue play. I shall see how long they can last. My hobby project continues....