msekanha

Is it safe to re-use the Hydraulic Tensioner?

Has anyone re-used theirs?

Or should I stop being cheap and buy a new one along with my timing kit?

EEngineer

yea, just buy a new kit. kits are pretty cheap nowadays online and they usually come with everything you need.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

A tensioner is something like 20-30$ [rockauto], might as well, it would suck re-paying the labor down the road if it were to fail.... then there go any potential 'savings' in the first place.

LeX2K

I've re-used them several times and not had any problems. But the key is to carefully inspect for leaks, if you see anything that looks like oil under the boot, replace the tensioner. The safe thing to do is just get a timing belt kit that includes the tensioner. But get the kit that is all OEM parts, if you put in aftermarket you'd probably be better off just using the original.

msekanha

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've re-used the hydraulic tensioners in my '97 since it was a non-interference, but my 4es is a different story...

I seen kits with and without the tensioners so I wasn't sure the importance of them being replaced.

But ill def. Pick one up anyway for that peace of mind.

Thank you

BDSL

I also have a 97. I have re-used the tensioner twice. Important thing is check for leaks. There is a procedure for checking in the shop manual. I replaced mine at 300k km (187k miles).

msekanha

I noticed a good majority of people re-use their tensioners. I've re-used them on my '97, but I'm a little skeptical considering my 4es has an interference engine.