Tensioner Pulley

  • Thread starter Thread starter NG
  • Start date Start date
N

NG

Hello group,

I have a small tensioner pulley issue on my '99 SL1. I started the car the
other day and the battery idiot light was sort of flickering, so I thought
"damn it, there's that infamous alternator replacement", but upon further
inspection under the hood I noticed that the belt can be taken off by hand.
I drove it home this way and it made it fine, but I'm wondering what the
replacement is going to be like. Anybody else have this happen to them? I
replaced the belt last summer at around 65,000 miles.

Thanks

NG
 
NG said:
I drove it home this way and it made it fine, but I'm wondering what the
replacement is going to be like. A
Click to expand...

Either the idler pulley came off, or, more likely, the tensioner 'blew
up' (no, that's NOT the technical term :)

If the idler pulley is on, then replace the tensioner. You remove the
wheel, cover thingie, and get at it from the side.

You need a 10 mm socket (1/4 drive, and a few extensions), and a 10mm
box wrench helps too. Oh yeah, you need some other size that I can't
remember off hand now.

Remove the pulley with that other size wrench (box wrench), then use the
10mm to remove two bolts and oput comes the tensioner. Put the new one
back, then the pullley, then wrestle the belt back on :)

Have fun! :)
 
just had mine replaced about two hours ago. It is a little better than an
hours work, $200 for the tensioner.
I got a used one and had it installed for $110.
 
It is a little better than an
hours work, $200 for the tensioner.
I got a used one and had it installed for $110.
Click to expand...

I picked up a tensioner at NAPA for around $60. Took about an hour to complete
in my driveway. James
 
I also bought the NAPA one, I remember it being more like $80.

AutoZone rents a special tool that helps to hold the tensioner back while
you slip the belt on. I did not use it, I just used raw muscle power.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and I have a lot in common. Well, ok, just the
hairline...

-David
 
Napa has many different prices for the same part. It depends on your account.
I bought it through my company and we get a deep discount because of the
quanity of parts we buy for our fleet.
 
I have a small tensioner pulley issue on my '99 SL1. I started the car the
other day and the battery idiot light was sort of flickering, so I thought
"damn it, there's that infamous alternator replacement", but upon further
inspection under the hood I noticed that the belt can be taken off by hand.
I drove it home this way and it made it fine, but I'm wondering what the
replacement is going to be like. Anybody else have this happen to them? I
replaced the belt last summer at around 65,000 miles.
Click to expand...

Its easy. I changed mine in a parking lot once in about a half hours time with
limited tools. Best bet is to take pass tire and wheelwells off and get it from
there.

On another note, you're lucky you didn't hurt the motor if the water pump
wasn't spinning......
 
The plastic one I bought only lasted 6 months. I would recommend getting a
saturn part or another brand made of metal. Also you can lower the engine
slightly by loosing the top engine mount. Makes the job a whole lot easier.
You will need a special tool.
matt
 
The plastic one I bought only lasted 6 months. I would recommend getting a
saturn part or another brand made of metal. Also you can lower the engine
slightly by loosing the top engine mount. Makes the job a whole lot easier.
You will need a special tool.
Click to expand...

The plastic one I've got has lasted 2 years. If you wanted to you could just
put the old metal pulley on the new tensioner.

Why would you need some type of special tool? I didn't!
 
The plastic one I bought only lasted 6 months.

Sorry but as a matter of principal, I would not install a plastic one unless it
was the last one on earth!

James
 
Sorry but as a matter of principal, I would not install a plastic one unless
it
was the last one on earth!
Click to expand...

Ahhh, who needs principals nowadays anyway? Nobody seems to have principals,
ethics, morals, etc at all nowadays!!
 
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