Anyone with pulley issues?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 306
Likes: 130
From: CA - California
Anyone with pulley issues?
I'm at 125k on our 2010 RX350 and got a new serpentine belt to replace the original. That got me going down a rabbit hole about pulleys and tensioners. I usually replace all that I can around this time, but a tensioner is $250 and the alternator pulley is $100 by itself. So question is:
Has anybody had any issues with their pulleys? Are they worth changing proactively? Seems like a lot of money and effort to go through when I haven't seen many issues on the forum. I don't have any pre-existing issues other than a very occasional cold start rhythmic chirp.
Has anybody had any issues with their pulleys? Are they worth changing proactively? Seems like a lot of money and effort to go through when I haven't seen many issues on the forum. I don't have any pre-existing issues other than a very occasional cold start rhythmic chirp.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,222
Likes: 1,746
From: VA
There are kits available with all the required pulleys and tensioners. Depending on your mileage and tolerance for banging up your knuckles a kit may or may not be worth the hassle. Some even do the water pump at the same time since all are right there.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 835
Likes: 82
From: Nukewastedump
We had our idler pulley changed around 40k under warranty (2010 Rx350). Now with 125k+, it's starting again. Changing the belt is one thing, but the pulleys are PITA due to the tight space, but still doable. AS Clutchless said, knucklebusters.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 306
Likes: 130
From: CA - California
Thanks all. I knew about the kits that had everything included, but the tensioner is not only expensive, but also requires removing the AC Compressor to remove all the bolts. So I really didn't want to do that unnecessarily, especially since I read on here a Lexus tech said he's never had to replace the entire unit before.
The alternator decoupler pulley also requires a special $90 tool kit, which would be one time use in my eyes. I guess my determination from the responses (and lack thereof) is that I'll probably just check all the pulleys and maybe replace the idler.
The alternator decoupler pulley also requires a special $90 tool kit, which would be one time use in my eyes. I guess my determination from the responses (and lack thereof) is that I'll probably just check all the pulleys and maybe replace the idler.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
