Replacing Timing belt, is tensioner a must?

[Draayer]

I'm doing a major motor redo after I blew a head gasket. I'm ordering parts and am wondering if when replacing a timing belt, is replacing the Tensioner a must?

 

[TheDurk]

I'm doing a major motor redo after I blew a head gasket. I'm ordering parts and am wondering if when replacing a timing belt, is replacing the Tensioner a must?

Well, the key question is how many miles will be on it at your NEXT timing belt change? I'd say if that number exceeds 200k, change it now. I changed my TB at 120k, and I think that number is appropriate even though the book says 90k, so 240k would be the next TB change. That number scared me, so I changed the tensioner along with everything else that touches the TB.

 

[Ask10]

Although it wasn't my Toyota, I swapped the timing belt ONLY on my Galant one time with the intention of doing the rest 20 or 30k miles later because I was on a budget. It had 100k ish.

Has no problem when I did it again at 145k miles with the tensioner, cam seals, etc, but if it's a big deal for you to do the timing belt, I'd suggest just doing it all at once and not worry for the next long while.

 

[the great him]

i wouldnt inless you have a need to. i have my origonal one still on, and its at 285k mi with no issues, my belt was replaces at about 260 or so and it still had great tension/presure

 

[Draayer]

Can you tell if a tension is still good?

Can one look at and move the tensioner to see if it still seems to be good? I'm leaning towards replacing it just for peace of mind.

 

[02SE]

The T-belt tensioner can and does fail occasionally. If it were my vehicle that I was working on, I would replace it. To not replace it while you are already working with it, is false economy, IMO.

 

[nissanh]

Pulling the tensioner is another project. If you have the right tool to compress it, see whether it expands when the load is removed. If it works, I'd say, just leave it.

Toyota T-belt is good for 100 K KM's (60 K miles).

 

[LittleCaesar]

Why not, since the OEM part is about $35 online? One less thing to worry about.

Now I just helped a friend change out his tensioner for a timing belt replacement on a Nissan 300zx. The OEM replacement cost at the dealer was $332. Now that may get me to think twice about replacing it.