belt tensioner

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Feb 1, 2010 | 02:15 PM

#21

wcsinx

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 24,160

Likes: 78

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC

Anyone else, it is just a waste of money.

You're probably right, but my logic is this. I can get an OEM tensioner for $100. I can get a repro for $50. Either of those will likely have the same probability for failure as the original. OR I can plunk down $20 to $70 more and never worry about it again. That IMHO is a very small price for the piece of mind *cough* and underhood bling

*cough*

And I'm one of the notorious C5 forum cheapskates for that matter who advocates crazy stuff like dino oil and Sumitomo tires.

Feb 1, 2010 | 02:25 PM

#22

0SDPC

Former Vendor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,584

Likes: 17

From: Lubbock Tx

I have never seen a problem arise from the Katech units on any car, street or strip. (we stock them by the way and have sold many of them on group purchases) It is always a worthwhile upgrade IMO, especially if you are buying a new tensioner already. It's not worth it to everybody, like any mod. I like them on my own cars simply because they are VERY good looking and are in plain sight under the hood, in my case any extra functionality would be just a bonus and I still think they are worth it.

Feb 1, 2010 | 02:48 PM

#23

LoneStarFRC

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 36,836

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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcsinx

*cough*

And I'm one of the notorious C5 forum cheapskates for that matter who advocates crazy stuff like dino oil and Sumitomo tires.

I hear ya on watching your dollars. It's a bit coincidental, but I was recently left temporarily stranded on IH10 while returning home from SC. My serp tensioner pulley (with 160K+ miles on it) self-destructed and flipped my main belt off. My tensioner itself was fine, so a local shop installed a Gates 38008 pulley and I was on my way the next day. I have since replaced both my belts (Gatorbacks) but that pulley is still doing fine. Btw, my rev limiter is set at 6800 rpm and occasionally I uh, bump it.

Feb 1, 2010 | 11:34 PM

#24

Blown 346

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 2,041

Likes: 4

From: Rockford Illinois

I agree. Buy another stock tensioner and have to keep replacing it. Buy a Katech tensioner and buy once and forget it.

Feb 2, 2010 | 08:22 AM

#25

ncvettes

Racer

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 391

Likes: 2

From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown 346

If your having troubles with your stock one now, you wont with Ktech. They arent made anything like the stock versions. I run them on my cars and no more issues.

Me too. They're great!

Feb 5, 2010 | 11:34 AM

#26

1BADL82

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 238

Likes: 0

From: Goodyear Arizona

ordered the Ktech will be here monday thx again for the info.

Feb 5, 2010 | 01:15 PM

#27

Eric D

Tech Contributor

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 2,843

Likes: 16

From: Howell Michigan

St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11

It is your car and I believe you should buy what you feel is right for you. That said I would like to point out a few things that seem to have been missed in this thread when it comes to the accessory drive belt tensioner.

The tensioner is a vital part of the accessory drive system. It not only provides tension on the serpentine belt but more important it provides damping to the drive system. Think about it, if you compare the cost to make a fixed tensioner compared to the stock unit that has a spring rate and damping disc system, it would be far cheaper to make a fixed tensioner. So why would an automotive manufacturer spend the extra money for a more complex design that cost more money? The answer, if you want durability in the accessory drive system you need a tensioner that provides damping.

Feb 5, 2010 | 02:29 PM

#28

kingrobby25

Pro

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 600

Likes: 6

From: Las Vegas NV

Another cause fo squeaking pulleys is the metal dust cover. It says right on the replacement pulleys box that the dust cover isn't needed, and if it interferes at all to not install it.

My pulley was squeaking so I replaced both AC belt pulleys and still had squeaking. Both pulleys I removed had very worn bearings, after I put the new pulleys back on without the dust covers I had no more squeaking.