[CL9] Serpentine Tensioner Replacement

[Mattis]

Hi guys,

Had a search through the forum and couldnt find exactly what I was looking for.

I need to replace the serpentine tensioner on my 03 accord euro as it has quite a bit of vibration/rattle at idle when in gear or with the AC on.

Has anyone replaced this themselves? I have ordered the Gates kit for it and had a quick squiz at what might be involved.

It looks like if I remove the power steering pump pulley I can probably get enough room to remove the old tensioner and install the new one. Is it just a matter of locking the pulley and undoing the bolt for power steering pulley?

Alternatively, do I need to remove the whole power steering pump?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mattis]

Had a bit of a google around about this and found some instructions on the replacement on another forum for a k20 but it looks very similar: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zg43tawueklxjwi/autotensioner.jpg

You do need to remove the whole power steering pump, not just the pulley as part of the tensioner housing bolts in behind the pump. However you don't need to disconnect the hoses apparently (which was my biggest concern - hopefully there is enough slack/give on the hoses to move the pump out of the way to get the whole tensioner assembly out.

I'm changing the tensioner on the weekend so will report back after that.

Repco couldnt find a direct listing for the part for an accord euro however I quoted the Gates part number from the other thread on the forum and they ordered it in for me, cost was $170:

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z145/alexsodhi/IMG_0398.jpg

[Mattis]

Replaced the tensioner yesterday morning.

Very straight forward as per the diagram included in previous post. Only other part that was missed was that you need to remove the power steering hose support bracket that attaches to the cam cover and then cable tie the power steering pump assembly out of the way to give proper access to the area.

Took all of an hour to complete as I managed to not have to take the serpentine belt off all of the bottom pulleys.

No more rattling at idle with the car in gear or A/C on.

[Snoop_gee]

so what you replaced does it have to do with this ?!?!

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?110323-Car-vibrates-at-50kmh-and-100kmh

[Mattis]

so what you replaced does it have to do with this ?!?!

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?110323-Car-vibrates-at-50kmh-and-100kmh

Not that I'm aware of.

There wasn't any vibration at speed, there was just a rattling noise (quite noticeable) coming from the tensioner when the car was at idle and in gear (i.e. stopped at the lights) or when the AC was on at idle. Car drove fine otherwise.

[krazynayba]

Sorry to bump an old thread but thought this might be useful to anyone who is searching and finds this:

When I replaced my own tensioner I was fortunate enough to come across the same Gates one on Amazon for about $45 (plus around $15-$20 in shipping to Aus). Also ordered the belt for around $20 too, coming to a grand total of about $85 all up!

Tensioner: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CHMMJS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Belt: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q05HA2/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Cla]

thanks for the part number and links. I have just purchased these. It came to around $100 delivered with our weaker AUD vs USD now.

Still alot cheaper then buying here.

[Mattis]

Quick update here;

The tensioner seems to have gone again, it's rattling when in gear, stopped with your foot on the brake and when the AC is on. I'm guessing the spring

It doesn't show as being out of the wear limit of the spring (via the indicator arrow), but the rattling/vibration it puts through the car is very annoying.

The replacement tensioner has probably only done 10,000 kms

Priced a genuine - $330 apparently.

Might try getting another one from the US this time as others have mentioned in the thread.

[ChaosMaster]

Don't Toda make a tensioner replacement?

[squish85]

Did replacing it with a genuine one help ?

[Vvvtec]

Don't Toda make a tensioner replacement?

Timing chain tensioner and accessories belt tensioner are two seperate things mate

[RenzokukenJ]

Silly lad

[Mattis]

havent had a chance to replace this again unfortunately.

still rattling when car is at low idle in gear or with the AC on - fine when in neutral

$330 is a bit rich from Honda, but if it saves me having to do it again in 6 months then might be worth the investment, that or I'll get the one off amazon and do it on the cheap

[amant02]

Timing chain tensioner and accessories belt tensioner are two seperate things mate

No its not. They both do the same thing, put tension on a belt.

Hence they are very similar indeed.


On srs note.

I think, op didn't torque down the bolts properly. These bolts dont require that much force... from memory it was like 16nM? Double check it.

Cos Im using Dayco and Gates combo on my k20. No problems yet..
40,000KM/7months of hard beating, bouncing off limiter already.

[Vvvtec]

No its not. They both do the same thing, put tension on a belt.

Hence they are very similar indeed.


On srs note.



http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/1d/1d1e8afabb2d9ec0820da01ceffcce8b35486db2029b3eda1e b9ad5b03e5d6f3.jpg

[Fredoops]

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/3180313344/h39ADEA2C/

[aaronng]

havent had a chance to replace this again unfortunately.

still rattling when car is at low idle in gear or with the AC on - fine when in neutral

$330 is a bit rich from Honda, but if it saves me having to do it again in 6 months then might be worth the investment, that or I'll get the one off amazon and do it on the cheap
What belt size did you use? If you used the 7PK1760, then that is the wrong belt as it is one size too big. It will go on and the arrow will point to the middle of the wear indicator, but after quite a while of driving, it stretches a little and it ends up being too loose and hence causes the rattling.

You need to use the 7PK1750 instead. When you first put this on, the indicator will point to the tight side, but it will stretch slightly with use and point in the middle.

I had this same problem. Replaced my belt with 7PK1760 as preventative maintenance, had the sound after a few thousand K's, the tensioner was rattling. I replaced the tensioner and belt, again with a 7PK1760 belt. Same problem occurred after a few months. After reading the US forums, turns out the correct belt is 7PK1750. Replaced with that and the tensioner has been quiet for the past 2 years.

[aldo10]

I had exactly the same issue as the above poster. Mine went to the centre of indicator and after about 400kms was way worse than the worn genuine Honda belt. I went back to the used genuine and am contemplating a $150 genuine VS a $55 Gates 7PK1750.

[Mattis]

Missed the replies here about the belt size, will check what size it is and replace if it's the wrong one then report back.

Thanks