Just bought a 97 civic ex with 120k on it, the previous owner had the timing belt and water pump changed at 119k but they did not replace the tensioner. Is this a problem anyone know how long the tensioners will run ?

Thanks

tm

 

I think that you just replace it when it wears out, instead of at a suggested mileage. If it wears out you should notice before the belt breaks. I noticed my timing belt was rattling and making a noise so i changed the tensioner and belt.

 

OK the AC belt idler was a bit noisy so I popped the seal off the bearing and the grease was dried out, the bearing was still good so I just re-backed it. Am wondering if the grease in the TB tensioner is dried out. If it wasn't such a pain to get the pulley off I'd just inspect it.

tm

 

normally tensioner get change when the belt get change.

 

i'm not sure about opening and greasing the tensioner. seems like a project, and i don't think they come apart the same way. sealed unit, ya know?

i could check mine out for ya, but i'm not at home.

be on the safe side and just change it, it's what like 40 bucks?

I thought it should be changed with waterpump and belt. past 100k miles, do it up before it gives out when you need it most (like they always do.)

 

Ding, ding, ding.

Every 90,000 miles give or take.

 

Replace it while you're in there is the rule of thumb for stuff like this.


.

 

It is a sealed unit so you cannot grease it. It doesn't take very long to replace it so it might be worth it to take a couple of hours on a Saturday and put a new one in.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking why the mechanic didn't change it out when he had it apart is beyond me. I'm going through all the systems so it will be reliable ongoing, so this is one more for the list.

tm