Belt Tensioner

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 12:47 PM

I've read in countless threads that the Celica's belt tensioner is about as reliable as a 3 dollar bill.

Lately, my poor dear old Celi, has been screaming like a banshee in the mornings. Definitely sounds like a belt... I took it in today to Downtown Toyota (I know all I do is complain about these guys, but it's just so convenient! It's right on my way to work) and he said he can check the tensioner, but it's $150 in labour and the part is $230.

With so much talk about the tensioner being crap, isn't this covered under warranty or something??? I asked the guy, and he said no.

D.

**Burrcold** · 12-06-2004, 01:12 PM

Tensionor is not covered under warranty...however it is usually not the tensionor that is the problem, it's the belt. But in time the noise will come back. Just get any shop to replace the belt ($7 part) and be on your way. I've heard there are some belts (Gator belt) I think it's called that apparently gets rid of the problem for good.

**Sal** · 12-06-2004, 01:20 PM

In my case it was not the belt or the Tensionor it iwas the waterpump.

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 02:14 PM

Hmm.. Interesting... Well, I called them back and asked if instead of going straight to the $230 tensioner replacement, could we first try to just change the belt.

He said that the labour would be the same either way, and he's checking the tensioner... That to change the belt, it'd be $110 in labour to get at it anyways, and what he's doing is testing the tensioner. If it's the problem, I'll have to cough up the extra $230 for a new one. If it's not the problem, then they'll change the belt...

That sound about right? ... I don't know, I'm always just so suspicious of these guys for some reason. They haven't done anything *wrong* per se with me in the past, but they always seem shady....

**Sal** · 12-06-2004, 03:26 PM

I think you should get a second opinion. I think it should be replaced under warrenty.

**Moondoggz** · 12-06-2004, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Tensionor is not covered under warranty....

What dealership were you going to when you had the celica?

I've had my tensioner replaced 2 times.... each time a new revision came out, and ive never paid a cent.

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moondoggz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Tensionor is not covered under warranty....

What dealership were you going to when you had the celica?

I've had my tensioner replaced 2 times.... each time a new revision came out, and ive never paid a cent.

Wow! Which dealership are you going to! Perhaps I've just found my replacement for Downtown Toyota!!

**Sal** · 12-06-2004, 06:44 PM

ken shaw is my personal fav ask for Ram to work on you car

brimell has always been good to me as well

**Burrcold** · 12-06-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moondoggz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Tensionor is not covered under warranty....

What dealership were you going to when you had the celica?

I've had my tensioner replaced 2 times.... each time a new revision came out, and ive never paid a cent.

my mistake it was actually the Extended Care Warranty that it wasnt covered under (ECP)

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 08:46 PM

My car is a 2000... I think I still have the original warranty going. Bought it second-hand, so not certain.

Should this be covered under that?

**Burrcold** · 12-06-2004, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prebbsy

My car is a 2000... I think I still have the original warranty going. Bought it second-hand, so not certain.

Should this be covered under that?

depends on the company you went with...the ECP warranty is Toyota's extra care warranty and they wouldnt so I have no clue about other companies

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 08:54 PM

No, I mean the original Toyota warranty. When I first bought it (about 6 months ago), I took it in to have them check it out for me. They said it was still under warranty (news to me!) and fixed up a couple of things for me.

**Burrcold** · 12-06-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prebbsy

No, I mean the original Toyota warranty. When I first bought it (about 6 months ago), I took it in to have them check it out for me. They said it was still under warranty (news to me!) and fixed up a couple of things for me.

you are not understanding. If your car is a 2000 and it is still warrantied then you have one of three things:

1) ECP (extended bumper to bumper warranty from Toyota) Does not cover the belt or tensionor.

2) The Powertrain warranty that would be left...which would cover some stuff but not the tensionor.

3) An aftermarket extended warranty. Which you would have to call up the company that it is with and ask if they cover the belt and tensionor.

Get it??

**prebbsy** · 12-06-2004, 09:25 PM

You're right. I wasn't getting... Je comprends maintenant... (I get it now).

Thanks for the help!

12-06-2004, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
prebbsy Location: Beaches, Toronto Posts: 21 Join Date: May 2004 Last On: 10-02-2008 09:35 AM	Belt Tensioner I've read in countless threads that the Celica's belt tensioner is about as reliable as a 3 dollar bill. Lately, my poor dear old Celi, has been screaming like a banshee in the mornings. Definitely sounds like a belt... I took it in today to Downtown Toyota (I know all I do is complain about these guys, but it's just so convenient! It's right on my way to work) and he said he can check the tensioner, but it's $150 in labour and the part is $230. With so much talk about the tensioner being crap, isn't this covered under warranty or something??? I asked the guy, and he said no. D.

12-06-2004, 01:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,419 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Today 12:00 AM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	Tensionor is not covered under warranty...however it is usually not the tensionor that is the problem, it's the belt. But in time the noise will come back. Just get any shop to replace the belt ($7 part) and be on your way. I've heard there are some belts (Gator belt) I think it's called that apparently gets rid of the problem for good. __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

12-06-2004, 01:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sal Location: Windsor Posts: 2,231 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: 11-21-2008 04:46 PM Vehicle: 07 Dakota 2nd Vehicle: 02 Celica GTS	In my case it was not the belt or the Tensionor it iwas the waterpump. __________________ Let it not be said dat I iz a man dat does not care.

12-06-2004, 03:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sal Location: Windsor Posts: 2,231 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: 11-21-2008 04:46 PM Vehicle: 07 Dakota 2nd Vehicle: 02 Celica GTS	I think you should get a second opinion. I think it should be replaced under warrenty. __________________ Let it not be said dat I iz a man dat does not care.

12-06-2004, 06:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sal Location: Windsor Posts: 2,231 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: 11-21-2008 04:46 PM Vehicle: 07 Dakota 2nd Vehicle: 02 Celica GTS	ken shaw is my personal fav ask for Ram to work on you car brimell has always been good to me as well __________________ Let it not be said dat I iz a man dat does not care.

12-06-2004, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
prebbsy Location: Beaches, Toronto Posts: 21 Join Date: May 2004 Last On: 10-02-2008 09:35 AM	Hmm.. Interesting... Well, I called them back and asked if instead of going straight to the $230 tensioner replacement, could we first try to just change the belt. He said that the labour would be the same either way, and he's checking the tensioner... That to change the belt, it'd be $110 in labour to get at it anyways, and what he's doing is testing the tensioner. If it's the problem, I'll have to cough up the extra $230 for a new one. If it's not the problem, then they'll change the belt... That sound about right? ... I don't know, I'm always just so suspicious of these guys for some reason. They haven't done anything wrong per se with me in the past, but they always seem shady....

12-06-2004, 08:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
prebbsy Location: Beaches, Toronto Posts: 21 Join Date: May 2004 Last On: 10-02-2008 09:35 AM	My car is a 2000... I think I still have the original warranty going. Bought it second-hand, so not certain. Should this be covered under that?

12-06-2004, 08:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
prebbsy Location: Beaches, Toronto Posts: 21 Join Date: May 2004 Last On: 10-02-2008 09:35 AM	No, I mean the original Toyota warranty. When I first bought it (about 6 months ago), I took it in to have them check it out for me. They said it was still under warranty (news to me!) and fixed up a couple of things for me.

12-06-2004, 09:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
prebbsy Location: Beaches, Toronto Posts: 21 Join Date: May 2004 Last On: 10-02-2008 09:35 AM	You're right. I wasn't getting... Je comprends maintenant... (I get it now). Thanks for the help!

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