Timing belt tensioner.....replace every time?

Zoo Mob · Post by **Zoo Mob** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:32 am

Hi,
just bought my first suub, a 93 legacy wagon, AWD 5sp, 2.2. I'm planning on having the timing belt, water pump etc. replaced as the car has 150k and the last owner of 10 years had no recors or memory of doing the timing belt. My mechanic says its not really necessary to replace the tensioner on these motors if it looks good. What is your experience, recommendations with this? Do I run a risk if it looks ok, he doesn't replace it, and the tensioner goes bad in 6months? Thanks for the input and pardon my ignorance. I look forward to learning alot here.

tturnpaw · Post by **tturnpaw** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:30 am

Tensioners should be replaced with every timing belt. Some can be faulty and fail out of the blue so it's always better to be safe than sorry.

RJ93SS · Post by **RJ93SS** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:22 pm

TRUE, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE, oops, but if there not done on the first route, do it on the second. when compressing the tensior, do it slowly, it should take a couple minutes. if it pushes in way to easy, replace it

log1call · Post by **log1call** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:57 pm

I am a mechanic, self employed, and I never replace the tensioner. The manual says to test their push-back rate and if it's ok, it will be fine to reuse.
The idlers should be inspected carefully for wear but they generaly go for two belts.

Having said that... It's a good idea to shop around for parts. Sometimes you can get a good deal on belts, idlers, pump all together in a kit if you do want to do the lot.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:21 am

After having one fail that seemed as tight as new, I replace them every other belt change. It may be unnecessary, but a tow will cost you about the same as the tensioner and that won't catch you by surprise.

tturnpaw · Post by **tturnpaw** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:40 am

Again you can play chance it or if it's one less thing you have on your mind, replace it. I've seen dsm hydraulic ones fail on a whim, difference is, they are interference motors and usually cost more than a belt a couple valves and a tensioner to fix.

93forestpearl · Post by **93forestpearl** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:23 pm

Six timing belts between my two cars and have never replaced the tensioner. It was always in acceptable shape.

I'm willing to bet that many tensioners are trashed by people who try to compress them too fast. It never takes me less than ten minutes.

RJ93SS · Post by **RJ93SS** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:00 am

10 minutes, you got some serious patience my friend

93forestpearl · Post by **93forestpearl** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:58 am

I should rephrase that. It takes me about one beer to compress it

legacycentral bbs

A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

Timing belt tensioner.....replace every time?

Timing belt tensioner.....replace every time?