question on timing belt replacement

[rwhite]

I tearing into my j30 because the tensioner is shot. I'm am going to get the timing kit with belt, 3 pulleys and water pump. As far as the tensioner goes do I need the whole assembly.? I see that rock auto just sells the piston portion and since I am getting the pulleys any way will this be enough? I don't want to spend the extra on the entire tensioner assembly if it's not needed. Pulleys all look good but will be replaced anyway, jus looks like the tensioner has blown or leaked.

[jaimster]

I got t-belt kit from rock auto about 6 months ago , didn't inspect tolerance on belt , after installing this belt, heard loud squeaking getting it started . opened it up turns out belt was a bit too wide ended up hitting the back cover , having to tear it down again. compare dealer belt with rockauto "not same width tolerance" I would buy belt from dealer NOT rockauto. belt at dealer its around 67 worth the money ..

[rwhite]

The kit I got from ebay comes with aisin water pump, idlers, and belt. Hopefully I won't need the entire tensioner assembly because I just ordered the piston part. All that + new hoses, thermostat. I guess we will see. I got it mostly tore down last night then couldn't find my puller so I need to go get one today.

[driverdriver]

It's really important that you have the right timing belt. Don't cheap out, get an OEM one. The VG30DE engine on the J is an interference design, meaning if the belt breaks while operating, you will destroy the engine.

[swimshark]

Always buy OEM parts. the cheap aftermarket ones do not compare.

Always replace the entire tensioner. Dont cheap and replace part of it. Your pulley will go out soon on it. Would you rather put the money in to a timing belt kit or be replacing your whole motor because a cheap Chinese part failed?

BUY OEM ONLY

[rwhite]

The reason I asked about replacing just the piston part is the timing kit came with all the pulleys. There isn't much to the tensioner other than pulley and piston. So I already have the pulley and the piston is only $40 vs $140 for the entire assembly.

[rwhite]

Just an FYI for folks that have a j that sounds like a diesel....stop driving it. I crawled all over this thing and would have swore that the noise was a lifter. I even used a stethoscope and was certain that it was. That plus the fact the car had the receipts from 50000 miles before that the timing belt was changed. Well I suppose they may have changed the belt because it looked new but the pulleys and tensioner were shot. Lucky I didn't grenade the motor. Anyhow new belt, tensioner, pulleys and water pump and the car sound s like new.

[dcarrd]

you'll thank me later...
Advanceauto.com
part number 95180k1 price $166
use coupon code: TRT41 to get $40 off with free shipping
the kit comes with the tensioner, 3 idlers and belt but you will have to buy the seals and water pump separately. You can reuse the code as long as you spend at least $100 per purchase.
Im getting ready to do the same job on my 93

[dcarrd]

as far as the tensioner, practically none of the techs at your local dealership even bother to change them. They just replace the belt and idlers. You can actually remove it and retension it and it will work like new.

[rwhite]

My tensioner was blown. I could move the piston by hand. New pump, hoses, pulleys, belt and tensioner and it's like new.