More tensioner idler pulley fun

Hey guys, I just ordered Continental 49416 Accu-Drive Tensioner Assembly from Amazon warehouse for $35. The idler pulley is the exact same one as my original OEM.

I did email continental to see if they would consider offering the idler pulley separate from the tensioner, I will update here when I receive a response.

I will verify if the entire tensioner assembly is exactly the same as OEM when I tear it apart but from what I could tell, it appears to be.

If you go to their website and enter your license plate number, they will show you the exact belts, pulleys and hoses you need for your vehicle. Pretty cool

 

But if the pulley and bearing are worn wouldn't the tensioner and spring have the same amount of ware?

 

There is a full days worth of reading on this site and the FJC forums to debate this, lol. I'm just offering up some information that might be of use to someone, especially since I have received so much help here

The tensioner is about $75 on RockAuto so might be a cheaper route than OEM for what is most likely, the manufacturer of the OEM part. Definitely a better deal if you can find one on Amazon warehouse for $35!

 

Not necessarily, the pulley spins constantly.
The wear to the pulley is usually the ball bearings and pulley surface itself.
Where as tensioner is just a constant pressure. Yes, ideally you would replace the whole unit.
However, on the 4.0 it is quite a job. You need to remove the Alternator and A/C compressor.
So, for us “lazy” folks. We would rather remove 1 bolt and replace it.

You can “usually” get an idea how bad the tensioner spring is. “Usually”

 

My 2007 has 339600 miles on the factory tensioner, 2nd pulley.

 

Since I bought it on Amazon Warehouse, I was sure I was going to get a tensioner that someone had returned after replacing the pulley with some garbage.

 

I recently installed a conti kit on my friends truck, just the pulley, not the tensioner. We kept the tensioner bracket as a spare.

 

I wonder how many tensioner "spares" exist, lol. If anyone here needs a tensioner, post up in the classified section and I'm sure you will quickly get a response from 20 people.

 

I wonder why people buy a tensioner just to get the pulley when they could replace the hole thing in 45 minutes,

kinda like saying my leaf springs are bad so I replaced the shocks.

 

Are you sure it's the license plate number and not the VIN number?

 

You guys do not want to touch the tensioner on this truck. It's not easy to replace and by it's not easy I mean hours and hours because apparently the bolts to remove it makes it buried in there.

Replace the pulley, wash your hands and call it a day.

 

YUP

 

Your analogy makes zero sense, lol. People are replacing the pulley because the PULLEY is bad and the pulley is not available without purchasing the tensioner. There is NO way anyone could possibly replace the "HOLE" (lol) thing in 45 minutes, impossible, unless they are already replacing the alternator. Makes sense to just replace what needs to be replaced and when my alternator goes, then I'll replace the tensioner. Does anyone have access to the shop hours required? From other posts I have seen here, the dealer charge for this is about $1200. Dealers love to price gouge, but I'm sure they are not charging 1k for a 45 minute job.

EDIT: Found the dealership shop hours; 5 hours

The majority of people on this forum will be able to replace pulleys and the serp, chances are the majority are not interested in doing what all is involved in replacing that tensioner.

 

For those interested. Here is a video.
Yes it says it’s for an FJ. It’s the same for the Tacoma.
https://youtu.be/UhG9owRQFy0

 

I replaced my entire tensioner.

PITA for sure

 

I replaced the tensioner and belt, and idlers, and water pump all at once so I don’t have to think about it for another 100k.. but prob took a couple hrs to get that tensioner out and back in. It’s tight working space in there and not fun. I think it was $150 from the dealer

 

True story! lol

Last summer, my 09 was approaching 200k and the serpentine belt was looking worn. Replaced it and the idler pulleys but still had an occasional chirping. Figured it was the tensioner losing... tension. Paid my mechanic to replace with new. He did but said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the OEM... and I still have the occasional chirping...

 

I haven't had a good look at my tensioner (I have a 2TR-FE). I'm not sure what the OEM V6 tensioner looks like either.

When I worked at Lexus, the tensioner had two arrows that would line up and if they didn't, the tensioner was bad.

 

One of your pulleys is misaligned is most likely what is happening there.

 

I believe it is coming from the power steering pulley as it goes away if I put a spritz of silicone lube there. Appreciate the suggestion!