Has my belt tensioner crapped out?

jT · Post by jT » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:01 am

I'm thinking that the obvious answer is 'yes' but I want to confirm.

On my way home this morning I lost power steering.. got home and checked, belt not moving. Belt not broken. "hmm.. ok, check it when it's light out". I had a bad feeling that it was the tensioner.

Just checked it.... I can move the tensioner back and forth by hand, without needing the 17mm wrench, and it stays put in each position.. like it doesn't spring back to keep tension on the belt.. it will "stay" in the forward and/or "stay" in the backward position.

Tensioner = dead?

Of course, my car (these cars) does not (do not) have any cheap replacements :\

4668364AD $332.00 $0.00 $332.00
Engine - Mounts - Bracket
Bracket, neon, right - 2.0l, sohc 2000 - 2002

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:32 am

Sounds about right. That really sucks since I think the entire engine mount bracket needs to be replaced.

I'd check out any local autopart stores to see if they sell any solutions.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/performancedodge_2068_2496841

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:49 am

or get rid of powersteering all together!

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:31 am

junkyard?

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:48 am

gilly02le wrote:junkyard?

Either that, or remove the arm all together, and get a tensioner that bolts on. You might need to figure out what belt size you need. The "bolt on" tensioners from the 3.0 Mitsu or the 318 truck engines is around $80 last I checked, and the neon one is over $300 now.

I know what I'm doing if it comes to this: Putting the old one back on.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:58 am

I've got a tensioner assembly here that needs a pulley installed if your interested let me know...

jT · Post by jT » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:38 pm

I did email a junkyard to see if they could do this part, BUT a part from the junkyard just as old as mine doesnt sound like a good idea to me.

Is the part the same for 00-05? An 05 might not be so bad if I could find one.

BRR gonna send ya a message

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:46 pm

Yes it is the same. My old one has 112,000 miles, and the spring seemed ok, but like you said, there is no guarantee it will last a day or 10 years. Unless the price of new ones comes down, I will prolly use my old one to work out a cheaper way to replace the tensioner. I bought my new one when they were still under $150. I thought that was bad enough. But then they had a huge back order on them, so I imagine that's why the price jumped dramatically. Now ppl will put off buying them, until they do fail.

cbjones26 · Post by **cbjones26** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:17 pm

???? im confused!!! your all talking about the tensioner assembly thing that the top motor mount hooks into right? that whole metal part on the right side the car? i just priced a new on @ my local parts store for $110 + tax??

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:43 pm

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/performancedodge_2068_2496841

4668364AD Engine - Mounts - Bracket
Bracket, neon, right - 2.0l, sohc MSRP $332.00

I would have them cross that number, because the last I knew, it was a dealer only item.

cbjones26 · Post by **cbjones26** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:48 pm

ya thats the part!, they even have a pic of it on there order screen? but then again only 1 warehouse out of 25 had them!and only had like 5 left!, how long has it been a deal only part? the guy that looked the part up is really really old like almost 80 so he could be miss reading the computer, all i know is he showed me a pic and said he could have it over night and it would be in by noon the next day, so if it is right i should go buy them all if they are that cheap? and then resell them on here? lol

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:07 pm

What parts franchise? And if you have $440 to spend, plus the one you need... Most of us cheap bastids will go to the JY tho...

As long as it isn't prepay, I would order one, just to see if it was right. I couldn't get anything on NAPA's site to come up. Just torque struts under motor mounts, and nothing under tensioner, except the timing belt.

cbjones26 · Post by **cbjones26** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:22 pm

umm its a private parts store, called gouverneur auto they only own like to parts stores total! but they can usually get stuff napa or autozone ext cant for some reason!, i dont need one i thought id price one just to make sure how much it was if i did need it when i did the cam install but mine is almost new!

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:47 pm

It would still be awesome, if they were confirmed correct. I'd bet if they shipped them, they would sell out.

Unless someone else chimes in, IDK of any other source. The original ones were made by Litens, like the newer timing belt tensioner. But IDk if the $332.00 ones are still from Litens or not. It may be possible they bought them direct. Don't know if they were proprietary to Chrysler or not.

cbjones26 · Post by **cbjones26** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:54 pm

idk ill find out tomorrow for sure, and if they do i know im gonna buy at least one , just in case i ever need it! and if they are the correct ones ill let ya all know on here and if ya need one i do take paypal, u just need to pay for shipping!

jT · Post by jT » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:07 pm

yeah make sure that its not just the pulley they are selling for $100 but the whole entire panel with the tensioner..

if you can confirm 100% definitely let me know.. and find out about a return policy in case they are actually incorrect about the part

jT · Post by jT » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:45 pm

The tensioner from an SRT4 won't work? Of course not, why would it.. they start at $50 on RockAuto.

Don't know this store, but $274 here http://performancedodge.stores.yahoo.ne ... ebete.html