Is there a recommended replacement interval for the auto-tensioner? I was getting ready to replace my belt, but noticed that the bearings in one of the idler pulleys were a bit noisy and coarse, so I figured I'd just replace both idler pulleys while I'm in there. A new Gates tensioner is $80, so I might as well just do that too, unless it's totally unnecessary. From what I could tell, the bearings felt OK in the tensioner.

The car has 106k miles, and the tensioner was replaced at 12k (the original seized and shredded the belt).

 

I don't think there's an interval for the tensioner although I had trouble over the winter because I was using a non OEM belt and it squealed awful until the car warmed up. Then I replaced it but still had the problems sometimes. My tension meter was in spec though. I'd leave it be. It's not like you're disassembling a whole lot now to get to it in which case i'd say just bundle the work and do it.

 

For anyone looking for a new(USED) OEM belt have one for sale. Only 800 miles on it before i went SC.

 

Thanks. I ended up replacing the tensioner. The original one had a bit more wobble than I was comfortable with, as well as a little bearing noise. For how troublesome they can be if they do fail, $80 is cheap insurance.

The two idler pulleys that I ordered (Dayco) don't seem like they're going to work though. The OE dust covers don't fit (the pulley hubs/bearings are totally different), and while they may not be completely necessary, I'm going to have a look at the more expensive Gates pulleys to see if they fit. The OE idlers are like $110 each, and I don't care that much.

The $20 Gates belt that I used is nice and quiet.