Eat Sleep DSM

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Log in

I forgot my password

Latest topics

» "Poison Ivy"
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyFri Oct 30, 2015 9:31 pm by AJracer33a

» Project Onyx
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyWed Oct 21, 2015 8:46 pm by Onyx

» Hey Guys
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyWed Oct 21, 2015 8:25 pm by Onyx

» WOT Tuning Basics
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyMon Oct 19, 2015 12:08 pm by AJracer33a

» new to the forum/me member on fb
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptySat Oct 10, 2015 12:52 pm by AJracer33a

» DSM beginner
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptySat Oct 10, 2015 12:51 pm by AJracer33a

» 4G37 Timing Belt Install Gone Wrong
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyFri Feb 13, 2015 2:02 am by SafetyAl

»  '93 7 Bolt 4G63T
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptySat Jan 31, 2015 9:04 pm by crazyccustoms666

» My DSM History
OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner EmptyWed Jan 28, 2015 10:25 pm by pointblank9957

Who is online?

In total there are 2 users online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 2 Guests

None


[ View the whole list ]


Most users ever online was 212 on Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:38 pm


    OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner

    AJracer33a
    AJracer33a
    Admin
    Admin


    Car : 95 Talon TSi AWD
    Posts : 684
    Reputation : 12
    Join date : 2012-01-18
    Location : Athens, PA

    OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner Empty OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner

    Post by AJracer33a Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:02 pm

    I can't stress how important it is to NEVER under any circumstances use an auto tensioner from the parts store. I found out the hard way back in 2012 after doing a 6 bolt swap in my 2G.

    I bought the auto tensioner from Advance Auto. After I completed the swap, I was staring at my engine bay a couple days later. Still haven't put the upper timing belt cover on. I decided to feel the slack on my timing belt which I have done a thousand times before this swap. To my amazement, there was a lot of slack. It was so bad that I could have literally pulled the timing belt completely off of my cam gears with my bare hands.

    Obviously, I decided to redo the timing. Maybe I messed something up with the tensioner pulley? Maybe it's not tight? Wrong. I did everything right. The auto tensioner I bought from Advance Auto was CRAP. I took it off 3 days after putting it on. 3 days after walking out of the parts store with it. I could literally press the rod in with my thumb. There was no tension what so ever.

    So, I made the mistake a second time. Went back to Advance Auto to exchange it for another tensioner. Went to install that one and had to take it back off because I was a tooth off in my first attempt. So I compressed the tensioner in the vice so I could insert the grenade pin. This time, the damn rod broke! (pic below)

    OEM Auto Tensioner VS. Parts Store Auto Tensioner Pictur25

    So, this time I said the hell with this, I am getting an OEM tensioner. I logged onto Extremepsi.com and purchased one. Installed it and never had any problems again.

    If my upper timing belt cover wasn't off, I would never have been able to feel the tension and know there was a problem. I could have destroyed my engine from the timing belt snapping/slipping or jumping timing. I hope you learned something from this.

    I have since then seen countless people ruin perfectly good motors from using a parts store tensioner. Or having the same problems with tension. Luckily, some of them caught it in time as did I.

      Current date/time is Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:57 pm