Timing belts, w/p. How about idler pulleys?

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <199807270011.RAA29882@theta2.ben2.ucla.edu> James Desveaux writes:

> There's been a fair bit of discussion here about the virtues of changing
> both timing belts and water pumps at 60k or less.  What about the idler
> pulleys?  How sturdy are the bearings in the pulleys, and do they have a
> tendency to seize?

> I'm curious to know what the experiences of others, particular Phil Payne,
> are on this matter.

I don't know many 20Vs over 100k, but I've never heard of an idler
roller failing on one.  I know of a couple of failures on WR engines,
but both were on cars that had frequently been left undriven for long
periods.  Given the high probability of a bearing seizure wrecking the
top end of the engine, I'd personally have changed it.  Whether it's
now worth the labour cost of going in there again before the next belt
change is _your_ problem.  If it were my car, I'd leave it and change
the next time at 120k miles - that would bring the car back into the
60k rhythm for any future owner.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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