Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 02:28 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
Hi guys
The idler bearing/pulley or whatever it is, is noisy. At idle when the car is in drive, it's quite obvious, noise goes away when the car is in park with the engine running. Can someone please shed some light on what it does, and what the part number is to be replaced. My mechanic put some form of what looks like grease on it to quieten it down, but it's done stuff all. It's attached with what appears to be two bolts, so it should be easy to replace. Once I have the part number, I'll go to Toyota and order a new one.
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 02:39 pm, by: Matt Petersen(Mattmannz)
Take the pulley off and replace just the bearing on the pulley. Easy job.
Bearing is easily available at any parts store and about $10.
Remove the belt before removing the pulley. Dont ask me how i know this.... Its a reverse thread so left to untension the belt then right to undo the bolt to remove the pulley. worth doing the idler at the same time.
Matt
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand BMW E36 Coupe 1UZFE V8 340i
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 05:09 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
The tensioner spring can fatigue over the years, mines a big tired and likes to move around a bit at idle, which is not really ideal, but it still works. Hasn't developed any squeaks yet. Although one of my UZZ30's did that and it was really annoying.
Like Matt said it's probably a good idea to replace the pulley bearing first, , they are easily replaceable. On the other hand a tired squeaky tensioner would only be properly fixed with a new one from Toyota, I'd expect one to be in the 3 figure price range though. The part number for it should be 16620‑50020 'TENSIONER ASSY'
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 05:27 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
That's exactly what I needed to know, cheers guys.
I'll now see if I can get a replacement one from Toyota and how much it costs. Failing that, may need one from a wreck as this one is rather noisy. That said it still works though.
Monday, February 13, 2012 - 01:24 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
You can use one of the pulleys from a Holden V6 - that's what I replaced mine with - cost me I think, $20 brand new - its done 80,000km since then with no problems.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 02:51 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
You weren't wrong Mike, it is an expensive part. for those interested, this part cannot be ordered by Toyota, and I had to call Melbourne City Lexus. They have them (Tensioner assembly) in stock in Sydney. It was going to cost $431 for the entire assembly. If it's still noisy even after I've replaced the bearing, I'll have to go down this route.
The new part number is 166220 0W035.
For the time being, I'll replace the bearing and see if that fixes things up. Also picked up a new air filter and oil filter today. Oil filters are not made in Japan anymore... hmmph
Friday, February 17, 2012 - 07:09 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
James Buchan wrote on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 02:51 pm:
Also picked up a new air filter and oil filter today. Oil filters are not made in Japan anymore... hmmph
Yeah, I've switched to Fram filters as the new Toyota ones seem pretty weaksauce - especially since they are a LOT lighter in construction, but the price is still the same (actually its gone up a few dollars). The Fram ones are built like tanks much like the old Japanese filter.
Friday, February 17, 2012 - 05:42 pm, by: Myles Jantzen(Maxx999)
I dunno if they still sell that part with the bearing being replaceable, I got a new one from the states that looked different(pulley wheel is smaller)for a Celsior and it worked fine.
Tried looking for the part number but can't seem to find the paperwork, might have to get a picture of it on the car later.