3.4 DOHC Timing Belt. Can I reuse the idler pulleys, tensioner, and actuator

[Petes93cutlass]

Usually when I do a timing belt I replace all the pulleys and waterpump. I never really seen or heard of the idler pulleys wearing out. Should I just reuse the old idler pulleys or replace them

[Galaxie500XL]

If it were mine, I'd replace them. On my LQ1, one of the idler bearings failed, the heat from the bearing failure melted the plastic pulley, and led to a timing belt failure.

 

 

As far as the actuator goes, I did replace mine...but my car had 200,000 miles on it at the time. I did keep the old actuator, just in case. They're getting hard to find, and at $125.00 a pop, they're not cheap. I figured if I started with a new one, I'd probably never need another.

 

The water pump, though, since it's not part of the timing belt drive, I'd not worry about. It's easy enough to replace without taking anything else apart.

 

Usually when I do a timing belt I replace all the pulleys and waterpump. I never really seen or heard of the idler pulleys wearing out. Should I just reuse the old idler pulleys or replace them

Edited November 29, 2012 by Galaxie500XL

[White93z34]

I've had/seen component failure more then I have belt failure in my travels with these engines. So yes, I always replace everything.

[spiderw31]

... I never really seen or heard of the idler pulleys wearing out...

 

You're about to hear of it

 

I had the bearing on one of the idlers let go on mine. It had at least 1/4" of play in it and it wiped out the t-belt quick style. Definitely replace the idlers!

[Psych0matt]

one of my idlers sheared off on the inner when my cutlass

[RobertISaar]

one of my idlers sheared off on the inner when my cutlass

 

........ did you accidentally word?

[Galaxie500XL]

Last one I did, I got a Gates timing kit from Rockauto, which included the pulleys with the belt. Best I recall, the cost was around $160.00.

 

Actuators are only available as far as I know from the dealership, but I was told when I bought mine, that the only ones still available were whatever remaining stock GM had, no new ones are being produced. Don't know how true that is, but considering the LQ1 hasn't been produced in 15 years, it sounds likely.

[Psych0matt]

........ did you accidentally word?

 

no, the inner sheared right off, the inside, center section where the bolt goes through

[Schurkey]

Last one I did, I got a Gates timing kit from Rockauto, which included the pulleys with the belt. Best I recall, the cost was around $160.00.

That's about what I paid at NAPA the last time I bought one from them.

Amazon has been selling the belt-pulley kit for < $120 for at least the last year. Price occasionally dips to ~$105, but the seller adds a large shipping charge, so the price comes out about the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-TCK192-Engine-Timing-Component/dp/B000CHKKCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354371794&sr=8-1&keywords=Lumina+timing+belt+kit

 

Actuators are only available as far as I know from the dealership, but I was told when I bought mine, that the only ones still available were whatever remaining stock GM had, no new ones are being produced. Don't know how true that is, but considering the LQ1 hasn't been produced in 15 years, it sounds likely.

That's what I'd expect. I don't feel there's much risk when re-using the original tensioner. Dump out the oil, re-fill with fresh synthetic oil. Retract it, don't forget to re-seal the openings with the rubber plugs. One plug is pierced with the paper-clip retainer. Pull out the retainer to tension the belt, be careful that the rubber plug isn't pulled out of position.

 

Sure, the guts "could" break. I'm sure it's happened (and I bet the root cause was mis-handling it during retraction.) Realistically, it's a spring-and-screw mechanism; there isn't much to go wrong. It wouldn't move much in service, either.

[White93z34]

I've seen a few of those actuators go bad, one on my old z34 one on Sam's Old z34. But I'd wager you are right when you say is is likely mishandling of it causing it to break.

[z34dumas]

i agree... as long as you keep fresh oil in it and dont go crazy when retracting it the actuator should last forever. i had a bearing in one of the idlers go bad and spew grease all over the belt causing it to slip a couple teeth. also when i put mine back together i had to retract the actuator fully then let it out one turn to make it line up easier.