Tensioner Pulley came off
 

Hey Guys,

So I replaced the alternator and tightened the belts back on (so I thought) and noticed that the tension pulley wouldnt tighten all the way and the bolt was loose. I tightened but it still somehow got loose and came off. The car drives fine as I just noticed this a few days ago riding around the neighborhood, is this safe to drive?? Haven't noticed any changes in timing or firing or anything but I dont want to create any further problems. Any help is appreciated.

Not safe, the belt could fall off and render your power steering useless. No or hard steering is bad. Get another one and get it on there and hope the bolt hole is not stripped out.

If you are talking about the tensioner assembly where it attached to the engine, although the block is steel, the head is aluminum. Aluminum strips out pretty easy. If the bolt is definitely in the hole all the way and it just keeps spinning and spinning, its stripped. You can use a heli coil or you can drill and tap it out to a larger size.

If this is just the pulley itself, I'd just buy a new tensioner. Mine was $143.

Thanks guys apprecitate the great info. I am pretty sure the bolt hole is stripped. I will look into the Helicoil kit to do or is this an easy job for a independent??

Its a fairly common thing to repair. I've stripped out so many bolt holes in my life. You just need a drill and the helicoil kit or a drill bit and tap.

***Update*****

So Saturday I got up and decided to drive it to my mechanic to get it fixed and it was hot AF out and 285 here in Atlanta was a parking lot. So after sitting in traffic for 45 mins it clears and I accelerate to about 55mph and then steering gets tight. At this point I am 30 miles from home and 4mi from my job. I proceed to get there and next the car starts to overheat......Oh sh#@, now I am freakin out but about 2 miles away. I get off the exit across the street from my office and the car shuts off and is smoking.....F@#% me!!!!! So a good Samaritan helps me push it into my office building driveway and there is a hill that we cannot get this heavy ass car up. I thanked him and went into my office to call a tow truck. My wife calls me panicing asking if I am ok because the local Fire department calls her telling her the car is on fire. Now I am thinking that someone is overreacting beacuse the car overheated and was smoking from the upper radiator hose bursting, so I walk downstairs and here what I find.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...fb9e461ba6.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e014f4ad82.jpg

Holy crap, glad to hear you were not in it when it burned.

One good thing you don't have to worry about the helicoil..........at least your ok.

Wow. That is a bummer. Of course, I'm glad to hear you're ok even though that does not make the pain of what happened any less. My heart goes out to you man.

Thanks guy appreciate it. I wanted a 430 when i bought this one (GS430 that is) so now maybe its time or 3rd gen (not a huge fan)

that sucks....mine is for sale if your interested

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...ied-gs430.html

Def will check out and interested........