C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Are there two idler pulleys or just one? Replacing belt/tensioner/pulley

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-30-2015, 10:58 PM
  #1  
mikex7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
mikex7's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: Santa Rosa California
Posts: 787
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default Are there two idler pulleys or just one? Replacing belt/tensioner/pulley

So I have an obnoxious squeal on load and my local shop diagnosed my tensioner needing replacement. Easy enough, but since Ill be down there I also want to swap the belt for a gatorback and change the idler pulley. First time doing this on a vette but you gotta learn somehow. I found this write up which seems easy enough: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cor...-belt-install/

Ive been trying to find an idler pulley to buy and each one says its the A/C idler pulley. Is that the same thing? Excuse my ignorance. This is the part I found that looks identical to the pulley referenced in the link above: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371138679635?lpid=82&chn=ps
If I buy that idler pulley, the tensioner, and the belt, should I be good to go?


Alright.. according to this image there are two:. Is #38240 for the main drive belt or 38241?
Old 05-30-2015, 11:19 PM
  #2  
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
 
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
Posts: 36,836
Received 226 Likes on 213 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Default

Which "tensioner" did this shop say needs replacing?

There are two idlers (that closely resemble one another) and two tensioners, all 4 of which carry different part numbers.

The "main" serpentine belt has 6-grooves and the AC belt has 4 grooves.

Btw, in your picture 38240 is the "main" idler.

Last edited by LoneStarFRC; 05-30-2015 at 11:22 PM.
Old 05-30-2015, 11:31 PM
  #3  
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
 
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
Posts: 36,836
Received 226 Likes on 213 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Default

The so-called "main" idler is GM part # 12564401

The so-called "main" tensioner is GM part # 12559325
Old 06-01-2015, 02:58 PM
  #4  
mikex7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
mikex7's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: Santa Rosa California
Posts: 787
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Which "tensioner" did this shop say needs replacing?

There are two idlers (that closely resemble one another) and two tensioners, all 4 of which carry different part numbers.

The "main" serpentine belt has 6-grooves and the AC belt has 4 grooves.

Btw, in your picture 38240 is the "main" idler.
They said was "alternator tensioner". I recently had my alternator replaced so I said which are you referring to, and he said there is only one tensioner for the main belt. So I guess I might be a little confused. Its my undertanding that theres a pulley on the alternator.. Maybe he was referring to that? Dont know. If a mechanic told you "alternator tensioner", would you think that was the alternator pulley or the main tensioner? I guess I could just call them but its been a few weeks so the memory might not be fresh.

Thanks for the help guys

Last edited by mikex7; 06-01-2015 at 04:17 PM.
Old 06-01-2015, 11:05 PM
  #5  
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
 
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
Posts: 36,836
Received 226 Likes on 213 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Default

Originally Posted by mikex7
They said was "alternator tensioner". I recently had my alternator replaced so I said which are you referring to, and he said there is only one tensioner for the main belt. So I guess I might be a little confused. Its my undertanding that theres a pulley on the alternator.. Maybe he was referring to that? Dont know. If a mechanic told you "alternator tensioner", would you think that was the alternator pulley or the main tensioner? I guess I could just call them but its been a few weeks so the memory might not be fresh.

Thanks for the help guys
As soon as I hear someone say "tensioner" I'm going straight to either one of the two spring-loaded units (which is what makes them "tensioners"). One is six-groove (alternator, power steering and water pump) and the other is 4-groove (AC compressor)

Btw, the pulley alone can be easily replaced on the "main" tensioner without replacing the entire assembly. Cheaper too.

HTH
Old 06-01-2015, 11:15 PM
  #6  
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
 
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
Posts: 36,836
Received 226 Likes on 213 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Default

DORMAN Part # 419604
FOUR SEASONS Part # 45996
GATES Part # 38008
HAYDEN Part # 5996
DAYCO Part # 89015
ACDELCO Part # 1540486

Any one of these will work. Pick one. I like Gates, Dayco or Delco. My preference.

www.rockauto.com
Old 06-02-2015, 04:12 PM
  #7  
mikex7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
 
mikex7's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: Santa Rosa California
Posts: 787
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
DORMAN Part # 419604
FOUR SEASONS Part # 45996
GATES Part # 38008
HAYDEN Part # 5996
DAYCO Part # 89015
ACDELCO Part # 1540486

Any one of these will work. Pick one. I like Gates, Dayco or Delco. My preference.

www.rockauto.com
Thanks, I appreciate that. I looked up the Delco and its saying its the A/C pulley. Are both pulleys the same?
Old 06-02-2015, 06:58 PM
  #8  
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
 
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
Posts: 36,836
Received 226 Likes on 213 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Default

[QUOTE=mikex7;1589756350]Thanks, I appreciate that. I looked up the Delco and its saying its the A/C pulley.



ACDELCO Part # 1540486 {#19190157} Professional
Accessory Drive


$13.32

Show me where this listing says A/C pulley. Does it have 6 grooves like I said?


Originally Posted by mikex7
Are both pulleys the same?
Read post #2 again.

If you are looking for the main tensioner (which, as I said, is for the alternator, power steering, etc) you can buy the assembly OR (as I said) buy just the pulley for it.

Get notified of new replies

To Are there two idler pulleys or just one? Replacing belt/tensioner/pulley




Quick Reply: Are there two idler pulleys or just one? Replacing belt/tensioner/pulley



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:33 PM.