[Vwdiesel] Timing belt tensioner

[jonathan hoehl]

I should chime-in here.
 
I've run noisy VW diesel tensioners when I knew better, and haven't seized one yet.
 
I bought a new timing belt and tensioner for a Toyota Tacoma V6.  Both OEM, Japanese parts.  Timing belt came in a sealed Toyota bag with dessicant even!  Tensioner was a very high quality bearing.  It turned smoothly, but seemed to have so much drag.  Installed the parts.  Bearing failed 1000 miles later.  The bearing seized and the belt just kept running around it.  Drove for a mile with the bearing seized and melty belt though!  And, the belt didn't even break.  It just kinda melted itself off.
 
I'm not saying Toyota parts are bad - I've experienced quite the opposite.  I guess you just never know what you get.  Maybe someone dropped the tensioner.  I don't know.  I always inspect parts; new, used, made in some weird place, whatever.  But, sometimes I run them anyway.
 
Jon
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