Belt tensioner pulley

RedRocket · Post by **RedRocket** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:37 am

My Vibe has been making a odd noise here lately and it seems to be getting louder,so I have narrowed it down to one of the pulleys,First thought it was the timing chain,but took the belt off the car and started it and it didn't make the noise,so that told me it is one of the pulleys.SO I went with changing the Tensioner pulley first,but I can't find the right pulley to fit it.They are $15 at advance auto parts and the first one they game me was completely wrong, took it back and got the right one and it rubs,when you tighten the bolt that holds the pulley on,it doesn't turn,it rubs bad.So we put the old one back on.But once we got the belt off and was looking,I think its my water pump that is making the noise,you can hear some noise when you turn the water pump pulley,and the belt tensioner pulley was very tight and moved freely with ease.So I've gotta change the water pump,but I still wanna replace the belt tensioner,is there something im missing? The pulley advance game is is almost identical,but not the same,and they said that is the only one they have and their computer shows that its the one for it.Am I supposed to replace the whole bracket and all,or can I change just the pulley??

sideshowalan · Post by **sideshowalan** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 1:25 pm

What year is your vibe?And what kind of noise are you hearing? A common problem is for the piston to fail on the tensioner, it's the part near the top of the tensionser with a rubber boot. It make a rattling or clacking noise when it fails. You can replace the whole tensioner assembly or just the piston if you can find one.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:21 pm

the 03-08 1zz/2zz had a known early failure for the tensioner piston like sideshowalan said, to fail. You have to replace the entire tensioner.

RedRocket · Post by **RedRocket** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:39 am

Its kinda hard to explain the noise,it almost reminds you of a lifter pecking real hard,is there anyway to tell if the tensioner piston is bad by looking at it or feeling it? Its a 2004 BTW

matrixjim · Post by **matrixjim** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:45 am

check http://www.rockauto.com, they have just the tensioner pulley for around $12

sideshowalan · Post by **sideshowalan** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:54 am

Look at the tensioner area with the engine running and in park. You may be able to see the belt or tensioner vibrating. The piston fails because the rubber seal fails and leaks oil, so you may be able to see some buildup oil around that area.The one on my car has an obvious failure and oil buildup but no noise/problems so I haven't changed it out yet.This is the part you're looking for near the top of the tensioner assembly.http://www.amazon.com/Tensione...EVC52

cj847 · Post by **cj847** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:41 am

Does anyone know if this item will ever be available again? I'm cheap and don't want to buy the whole tensioner.Thanks.http://www.amazon.com/Tensione...EVC52

Belt tensioner pulley

Belt tensioner pulley

Re: Belt tensioner pulley (RedRocket)

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