Serpentine belt/tensioner - when to change

[keithyota]

4runner at 128k. belt looks fine to me, Toyota inspection listed it automatically as something to consider changing.

have you changed this and how often?

belt likely easy to change, how about the pully?

 

[The G-Man]

The belts themselves are rubber and over time begin to dry rot, much like your tires. So while it may look fine, the belt itself may be very brittle and could break. Part cost on it should be $30-$50.

As for the tensioner, I probably wouldn’t change it unless it’s making noise.


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[montijo505]

Belt is super easy to change, just follow the diagram on the under side of the hood.

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[Zero0575]

The belt is super easy and cheap to change. I don't think the tensioner goes bad often, but I have replaced the tensioner pulley on mine at around 160k miles because it was squeaking. The actual tensioner is still factory and at 180k miles now with no issues.

 

[Hunter61]

Replaced my tensioner pulley at about 125K. Wasn't difficult at all.

 

[keithyota]

because was going bad or staying ahead of issues?

 

[Terminator03]

I have an upcoming road trip soon and my idlers get slightly noisy in cold weather, so I’m planning to do those and the belt just for preventative maintenance. I’ve never done the belt in the 3-4 years I’ve had the truck, so I’m planning to do that just because I have to remove it to do the idler’s anyway. Also planning to do the TB and water pump, so I may just do it all at the same time.

 

[Nahrah]

I bought the kit from rockauto that came with the belt, tensioner/tensioner pulley and two idler pulley for my V6. Wasn't hard at all to change out, I just swapped out the tensioner pulley because the tensioner seems ok. Just remember that the tensioner pulley is reverse thread if your planning on changing it out.

 

[little_titan]

08 V6 4x4 here, bought my car at 100k and now its 154k still original serpentine belt and tensioner.

Will look into belt before hitting 160k

 

[Burt]

I too have been thinking about replacing the belt on my 08' V6 with 145K miles on it. I also hear some squeaking during cold winter. Definitely going to check out the RockAuto kit.