I bought and installed a New GMB timing belt tensioner along with a new spring from the dealer, and about almost 2 years later the thing failed on me.
Turns out the notch where the spring hooks onto is made of cheap metal and the spring pretty much "pulled" right though it in about 2 years.
Luckily my engine wasn't toast, it did not slip, even with a ridiculous amount of slack in the belt, probably just got lucky this time. Or maybe because the other end of the spring was still hooked onto the block (doing nothing), I guess if it fell down it would have shredded the belt then for sure. I took a pic of the part for you guys.

I know quite a bit of folks use GMB waterpumps I guess they might be good at making those, but I ain't ever gonna even look at a GMB Timing belt Tensioner again.

 

Thanks for the review. Thankfully you didn't lose an engine to a faulty part design.

 

Not sure if you knew this or not, but that notch is only used when installing the belt. If there was tension pulling on it then someone didn't tighten that 14mm bolt that holds the tensioner down.



Also, FWIW, GMB, Gates, & Koyo are the OEM suppliers to Honda timing belt component kits.

 

I've seen Koyo, Gates, even Mitsuboshi, but never have I ever seen GMB as a factory supplier for Honda's. Maybe other makes, but I've yet to see a Honda come with a GMB part from factory.

The bolt was tight and secure just like it should have been. Also, the spring does provide somewhat of tension, as the the tensioner just pivots on the 14mm bolt (re-tightened after being loosened as per service manual). So the spring does play a role in the timing system.

Either that or this GMB Tensioner was $$#% as hell. It sucks when you really maintain your motor, and the inevitable can happen. At the least I learned my lesson.

 

Unfortunately, tensioner failure is nothing new, and it is not exclusive to GMB.

Timing belt question 1.7L SOHC
My engine committed suicide
Factory service instruction for timing belt (last post)
Spring shreaded my timing belt
Timing belt failed (tensioner, actually)
Timing belt tensioner went out, head is dead

There are more, I'm sure.




Tensioner spring broke at 30k

 

Factory service instruction for timing belt


My bad, I didn't do a thorough search before posting. That 3rd link that you posted actually has a person with a Genuine Honda Tensioner with the exact same issue as mine. Mine just crapped out at 24k. At least now I know the Genuine part lasts longer.

 

Please accept my apologies, kind Sirs. I rarely venture outside of the 92-00 Civic forum and their tensioners are set up differently. The tensioner spring in those vehicles fit with next to no tension once the bolt is tightened down.

Again, I'm truly sorry for this misinformation I have spread, please don't xtrac1 me.

 

got to be careful with these cheap add on companies that push their crappy parts

 

Greetings,
Not as a "know it all" but from the perspective of 1) Making a living working on Honda/Acura products since 1978 & 2) Starting and presently owning a Honda/Acura Repair/Maintenance business since 1987;
I, nor my mechanics have EVER seen a GMB Oem part! We discovered back in, say 1985 that the failure rate of their H2o pumps was astronomical! Why would anyone Remove an "Atsugi" or "Asian" pump or a "Koyo" or "NPN" bearing after over 100k of service and replace them w/JUNK? I'm just say'in

 

good point