when is a good time to replace the timing belt tensioner?

what do i look for or check to see if its worn or needs replacing?

the one in my car is real hard to move and it feels kinda grity when i move it manually..i remember when i installed my motor it was pretty easy and smooth moving..ive allready decioded i need a new one i just wanna know if theres any way to tell for sure if it needs replacing?

 

You have allready answered your own question. Replace it.

 

 

Inspect the actual spring and see if it is bent or damaged in any way. But given the amount of damage a bad belt tensioner can do, ,it would be a wise decision to spend the 10 bucks and get a new one. I had a $2,000 dollar head get ruined by a bad tensioner.

 

yea i found out the hard way also..but i was very lucky and the only thing i have to replace was the timing belt since i was at 1,000 rpm when it broke..so i decided to build the whole head anyways ..thanks for the info guys..i found a tensioner for 33 bucks brand new