KasbeKZ

I know that it is recomended that you replace the tensioner when you do the timing belt, but a very short budget makes me think otherwise. i'm wondering how the tensioner works. is it spring loaded? i just want to see if i put the old one back on do i have to compress it to get the belt on?

91zxtt

It is a hydraulic piston. Pay a little more now to save a lot later. Just replace it.

KasbeKZ

yea i wish. thanks

300convt

I would go ahead and spend the extra money. I bought a 94 convertible last year w/68k miles and before i bought it I asked and was provided proof the time belt was replaced. But when the engine failed 6 months later I found out he did not replace the tensioner. In the end it cost me 6k to have the engine replaced. I was told by the repair shop replacing the tensioner would have been an extra $100.00. Well worth the money.

KasbeKZ

well that makes sense

hoov100

theres your problem 300, having someone else do the work, when i do the work and fu** it all up its my problem and the only person to blame for is myself, so thats why i do it, that and it insures that it gets done correctly..

b300z

its kinda hard to do that if the owner before him took care of it.

it would also be pretty difficult if he didnt know how or didnt have the tools do properly do it. many people have others do their work because they dont have the means to get it done themselves

hoov100

but with the money you would end up paying somebody to do it, you could buy the tools you need and the writeups are available almost everywhere. but i guess no everybody is cut out to work on their own car..

300convt

The work was already done before I bought the car and while I really enjoy driving my cars I don't enjoy fixing them so I have a mechanic do it for me. I fix the small things but everything else I leave to a professional. I have a mechanic I trust so I'm not worried about it getting done wrong.

KasbeKZ

i'm still wondering about the re-use. if i need to use it for just a few months, can i just compress it with a pipe wrench and put the new belt on?

b300z

why would you want to do all that work over again?

entropy31

really, just do the tensioner. and i am not trying to be a jerk here, just telling the absolute truth; if you can't afford to do the proper maintenance, you really can't afford to drive a z32.

hoov100

most people replace them for the just in case or the while im at it, but if your current tensioners are still in good shape i see no problem with re-using them for a second time. hell my z31 had the same tensioner for over 100k miles without any problems, in a pinch you can, but theres no guarantee yours will last another 60k.

CanyonCarver

People have re-used them by re-compressing the piston. The best thing to do it to re-attach it to the block and then compress the piston by prying against the roller with a pry bar. Put a piece of wood between the pry bar and the roller.As you're compressing the piston insert the holding screw. Don't try to compress the piston with the holding screw. You'll break the casting.

On that you haven't mentioned whether you're doing a 60k or 120k belt change. If you don't know, cheaping out on the tensioner shouldn't be your only concern. The idler pullies should be replaced too.

SpeciallySpiked

I can not think of a time where I said I'll go back in there and fix it in a few months where I actually did.
I would change it now before it is a BIG problem and costs you your car

KasbeKZ

haha is this a 60K or 120K change? the car has 150k so i hope that this will be best represented as the 180K maintenance. well seeing as this work is all being done before the maintenance is due anyway i am just trying to recover a little. you all have the right to say "I told you so" if the tensioner should crap out. i hope it makes it. thanks for all the advise here.

91zxtt

Then why are you doing the work?

KasbeKZ

because the valves burnt up and i needed to have the heads rebuilt. the t-belt is just right there while i'm doing it. i just started the car tonight. "And there was much rejoicing" (monty python)

91zxtt

If the tensioner was replaced at the 120k service then reusing it should be fine.