Serpentine Belt Tensioner

[bplaney]

I have searched through the forum for prior posts, and did not find any that specifically addressed the need (or not) for replacing the belt tensioner along with the serpentine belt. How to judge it?

[lexuseng]

I have searched through the forum for prior posts, and did not find any that specifically addressed the need (or not) for replacing the belt tensioner along with the serpentine belt. How to judge it?

The only thing I've ever judged is if the bearing felt bad. If it did, I replaced it, not the whole tensioner (about $170), just the bearing for the wheel (about $15). Does require removing the top timing belt cover to expose the 3 bolts holding the tensioner. I've never seen anything aoout the tensioner failing.

[TRDGS300]

if you do remove the tensioner, BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DROP ANY OF THE BOLTS TOWARD THE CRANK. you will run into a big headache. if a bolt drops, hope you can fish it out with a magnet or be ready to remove everything up to the timing belt... or deal with with bent/snapped valves resulting in a new head.

[bplaney]

if you do remove the tensioner, BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DROP ANY OF THE BOLTS TOWARD THE CRANK. you will run into a big headache. if a bolt drops, hope you can fish it out with a magnet or be ready to remove everything up to the timing belt... or deal with with bent/snapped valves resulting in a new head.

Thanks - this sounds like great advice...