BayAreaLex

Hi guys, I plan to replace my tensioner and idler pulleys.

I'm wondering if anyone has a procedure on how to do this? Thanks!

The car is a 2001 GS430

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Unless I'm missing something... This is pretty much a cut and dry job

Loosen belt with tensioner and remove belt
Unbolt bolt for idler pulleys and replace
Unbolt bolt for tensioner and replace
reinstall belt

BayAreaLex

Thank you for the reply. I just replaced my Serpentine belt today and that's what it looked like to me.

The reason I posted this question is because I read that there are engine plates that need to be removed.

If not I should be able to take care of this easily. Thanks again.

JLAWS

Not as cut and dry from what I have heard. I believe the Alternator has to come out to take off the tensioner. It is bolted behind the alternator.

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Still just only 2 bolts if so. I would still consider it cut and dry, its not like you have to remove the heads to get to it

D3V3LOP3R

iTrader: (3)

If you only want to replace the belt tensioner PULLEY, you can swap it pretty easily. I had a ton of noise coming from it and I ended up just needing to swap that. If you want to swap the whole assembly, there are a few more things you need to take off, but it's not too bad.

BayAreaLex

Ok, so alternator needs to come off along with the serpentine belt.

Is that all? Thanks guys.

JLAWS

So we now know it is not as straight forward as it seems. I paid a mechanic $90 (a hour labor) to swap it out. Easier to work on if you have a lift. They complained that they should charged more time but had to honor the quote. I didn't feel bad because it was a big chain auto business.

BayAreaLex

No it's not a 15minute job by any means like some of the posts on clublexus make it out to be (maybe this is true for the GS300, but certainly not the GS430).

If it's your first time doing it, bank on 2-3hrs, as I just discovered. Nobody told me that the PS pulley and alternator need to come out.

And yes, it does require you to access the alternator wiring from underneath so the car does need to be in the air.

BayAreaLex