Hyundai - timing belt tensioners a non serviceable item?

rev_henry

I've just booked my 99 Hyundai accent in for a cambelt change at the main dealers. I asked if it was a kit that included the tensioners, but was informed that the tensioners on Hyundais are non serviceable and are not replaced unless they are damaged, so the kit does not include the tensioners. Is this right or ok?

I thought the tensioners were the main reason for doing the cambelt, as they're more likely to go than the actual belt?

LandyAndy

rev_henry wrote: »

I've just booked my 99 Hyundai accent in for a cambelt change at the main dealers. I asked if it was a kit that included the tensioners, but was informed that the tensioners on Hyundais are non serviceable and are not replaced unless they are damaged, so the kit does not include the tensioners. Is this right or ok?

I thought the tensioners were the main reason for doing the cambelt, as they're more likely to go than the actual belt?

Does this mean that they can be replaced but it isn't done as a matter of course at a belt change?

If you are so concerned ask how much extra it will be to have the tensioners changed as well.

INT1

The tensioners are normally only replaced if they are getting noisy or have already gone. Normally you just get the belt replaced.
getting the tensioners done is a big job so in theory good to get them done at same time but if you are not planning on keeping the car until it dies on you I wouldn't worry about it.

rev_henry

LandyAndy wrote: »

Does this mean that they can be replaced but it isn't done as a matter of course at a belt change?

If you are so concerned ask how much extra it will be to have the tensioners changed as well.

I think so yes, so I might do that. Thanks INT1, I just thought that tensioners were replaced normally as part of the kit...

hubert_cumberdale

i wouldnt have much concern if its a garage doing it and they said not to if it snaps its there problem. You could get them to put in writing that the tensioner didnt need changing.

vauxhalls change theres on the older engines because its a vauxhall and they will break lol

rev_henry

Just found this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYUNDAI-ACCENT-1-3-11-94-12-99-Timing-Belt-Tensioner-/260567663607?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cab0b03f7

The tensioner looks like a fairly sturdy metal thing, maybe its just plastic tensioners (on vx, renault etc) that need changing each time then.

Although I've also now found this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hyundai-Accent-1-3-1-5-1994-99-12v-Timing-Belt-Kit-/290440297162?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item439f973aca

Which includes the tensioner so I'm not so sure now...

rev_henry

Bump, does anyone else know any different?

mikey72

INT1 wrote: »

The tensioners are normally only replaced if they are getting noisy or have already gone. Normally you just get the belt replaced.
getting the tensioners done is a big job so in theory good to get them done at same time but if you are not planning on keeping the car until it dies on you I wouldn't worry about it.

Never had just a belt replaced.
Always tensioners, pullies, belt and water pump.

rev_henry

mikey72 wrote: »

Never had just a belt replaced.
Always tensioners, pullies, belt and water pump.

That's kinda what I thought. Hyundai quoted £142, which was the cheapest, maybe that's why.
Another independent garage (who I trust and are excellent) quoted me £150 so I might just book it in there, I would have thought that'd include the tensioners but I'll check. They advised me not to bother with the water pump because 'in 20 years I've only ever had about 3 cars with seized pumps.'

Also all cambelt kits I've found online have included the tensioner.

mikey72

rev_henry wrote: »

That's kinda what I thought. Hyundai quoted £142, which was the cheapest, maybe that's why.
Another independent garage (who I trust and are excellent) quoted me £150 so I might just book it in there, I would have thought that'd include the tensioners but I'll check. They advised me not to bother with the water pump because 'in 20 years I've only ever had about 3 cars with seized pumps.'

Also all cambelt kits I've found online have included the tensioner.

As soon as you un-tension the pump, then re-tension it with the new belt, the water pump bearings are disturbed. Wear is then different, and they can start to rattle, which changes the cam belt tension, or they can seize. For the sake of twenty or thirty quid it's well worth changing it.

rev_henry

Well this is getting a bit silly now. Spoken to the indie again who said £150 includes the tensioners and pulleys, but also spoken to Hyundai again, the mechanic there has said he has never seen tensioners and pulleys go in almost 50 years so I don't know what to do now.