V8 Serpentine Belt Tensioners... anyone used this?

bmdubya1198 · Apr 9, 2022

I know, I know... just buy the OE Volvo one. I've discovered this aftermarket tensioner for a quarter of the price and while I normally would just look the other way, I figured for $60 it could be worth a shot. Catastrophic failure of this would be unlikely without a lot of advanced warning, I think. The pulley itself isn't attached to the timing cover like the idlers. It could still bust a hole in the timing cover if it totally seized up, but I have no idea who even makes the bearing in this one. Maybe by some off chance, it's actually a Japanese-made NSK or NTN (or whatever the OEM is).
Anyway, any V8 guys tried this tensioner? I have no idea who makes it, there's no brand listed on any of the listings I've found for it. There's one good review on carparts.com, but there's not much to it. I just want to hear if anybody has tried it and can vouch for the quality, or otherwise.

eBay link: 31216199 New Accessory Belt Tensioner for Volvo S80 XC90 2005-2011 | eBay
Carparts.com link: https://www.carparts.com/details/Vo...=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3sebrqWG9wIViKjICh39LAVTEAQYAiABEgL-RPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

cannondalemtb · Apr 9, 2022

I've read too many horror stories of failures to be willing to take the gamble. When I did my timing cover gasket, I replaced mine with OEM just to be safe. It's worth it to have the warranty from FCP.

bmdubya1198 · Apr 10, 2022

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking, but I'm tempted to take a chance on it being a decent quality pulley. That said, I'm hesitant because I don't know what it's going to be.

grew said:
Is the tensioner really damaged? Usually its just the pulley and you can buy a really nice pulley for it. This is what I bought and it works great.

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I had the same thought. I'm pretty sure the idler pulleys are the same as the tensioner pulley, and the bearing is the typical failure. I was thinking I would just order an idler pulley and replace the pulley on the tensioner.
Worse case, if the piston fails, you'd notice the leak or increased slack in the belt. I doubt you'd see a catastrophic failure of the piston.

grew · Apr 9, 2022

Is the tensioner really damaged? Usually its just the pulley and you can buy a really nice pulley for it. This is what I bought and it works great.

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Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SKF Clutch Pilot Bearing - 62032ZJ at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Masscomguru · Apr 10, 2022

I have not replaced my tensioner (180k) but I have used gates pulleys and they work fine. Gates Part # 38005

caliwagon · Apr 11, 2022

Agree with above... just replace the pulley (it's the same as the other two, IIRC). I did this on mine. I'm now at 204k on the original tensioner mechanism and about 65k on the second (OEM) pulley. No issues.

bmdubya1198 · Apr 11, 2022

Cool, I might go ahead and order that pulley. It’s right around 192k right now, and I’m sure the tensioner piston itself has a lot more life left. It seemed to be in good shape when I last had the belt off to replace the idlers and timing cover gaskets around 25-30k miles ago.

Scycotic · Apr 11, 2022

Pulleys are indeed all the same. If you're a real skinflint and know what you're doing, you can also just replace the bearings (get good ones). The tensioner pulley bolt is reverse threaded if I'm remembering right. Might need to counterhold the tensioner itself.

V8 Serpentine Belt Tensioners... anyone used this?

SKF Clutch Pilot Bearing - 62032ZJ | eBay

SKF Clutch Pilot Bearing - 62032ZJ | eBay

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