Belt tensioner BEARING failure? Rodbolt, a first?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

06 F150 TXR.

Been a couple weeks but a noise started that sounded like a dry cam belt.

Belt looks fine. Took a screw driver to the tensioner mount, (while running), listening to the base. I could hear a definite "click" from the unit as it rotates.

Put a little bit of gear oil where the top seal is (for the tensioner) and let it sit before cleaning excess away and re-starting. The noise seemed to diminish approx 80% but I could still hear/feel it thru the screw driver.

This am, I set the engine at TDC, cam marks lined up and took tension off the tensioner. Spun it best (still a little belt drag) I could, could NOT feel any "notches".

For S&G's, tried moving the main roller (see below video's) up and down by
hand.

Diagonally, I could move it up and down approx .015" measured at where I'm pointing (pic).

I've read a previous post from RB that he's never seen that bearing itself fail.

Yours and other's opinions before I order a new one?







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[panasonic]

I don't know if this will help you Scott, but I have a timing belt tensioner for Honda Civic, brand new here in my hand. Basically the same set up as that roller and while holding the base I can rock it a small amount as well...about the same as you are showing.

As for the clicking I would say that the bearing is starting to wear out.

If you can get your hands on a syringe with the needle you could poke it through the rubber seal on the bearing and introduce some fresh grease into the bearing and see if it becomes quiet...

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I don't know if this will help you Scott, but I have a timing belt tensioner for Honda Civic, brand new here in my hand. Basically the same set up as that roller and while holding the base I can rock it a small amount as well...about the same as you are showing.

As for the clicking I would say that the bearing is starting to wear out.

If you can get your hands on a syringe with the needle you could poke it through the rubber seal on the bearing and introduce some fresh grease into the bearing and see if it becomes quiet...

Thanks for the response. Just the clicking (which I am 98% sure it's coming from there (and with the rocking), and getting a little lube in there-which seemed to help with the noise (confirming wear).

I don't know if it's a needle bearing in there or regular roller bearing.

I'd rather replace that tensioner vs blow up the engine to save some $.

If someone else with an F150 wants to check theirs and report back, I'd appreciate it. It's really NOT difficult at all to get the load off it/ access. I don't think total movement (to tension the belt is 1/4")..

I'm VERY interested in Rodbolts opinion as he's posted previously that he's never seen that bearing fail.



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[panasonic]

Also Scott I see that your engine is very clean, which there is nothing wrong with by the way, but sometimes having things to clean can be counter productive. I know that there is a plastic timing belt cover over the bearing....is it possible that there was water laying in the top of that bearing over the years from being washed down? It is the perfect little cup shape to hold water.

I say this because we used to wash down our landing gears very clean with a pressure washer year's ago before inspection and greasing but found we where wearing out bushings and bearings a lot more quickly then other operator's. We where a victim of our own cleanliness by getting water into bearings from over cleaning. We stopped using the pressure washer and clean only with soap, brush and garden hose rinse now. It extended our bearing/bushing wear rate greatly.

Just a thought.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Water has NEVER seen that area since brand new.

I had a little bit of salt spray on the lower port side of the engine (under cowl) which got rinsed with fresh water maybe 6 months ago.

I do spray down the under cowl (flywheel cover ON) with LPS2

I watched on You Tube of regular gentle hosing down with fresh water on the entire powerhead... ??? Don't know about that...

Pic's from maybe 2 weeks ago (after Photobucket quit):

[panasonic]

I am not suggesting that you not replace the tensioner, just a way of confirming that it is the bearing....

I just picked the rubber seal out of the tensioner I have and it's a double row ball bearing..

All bearings can wear out. See what Rodbolt says about it.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I am not suggesting that you not replace the tensioner, just a way of confirming that it is the bearing....

I just picked the rubber seal out of the tensioner I have and it's a double row ball bearing..

All bearings can wear out. See what Rodbolt says about it.

Interesting, figured it'd be molded in or something.

Can you "rock" the roller up and down at all (I measured about .015" total up and down at the edge)?

I know when I rock it, the inner seal surface is away from the "shaft". And yes I don't want to throw parts at it, just preventive maintenance, especially if it's beginning to fail..

Thanks for the help BTW..

[fairdeal]

I don't know, Scott -
looking at your videos, I see the "slop" - but it doesn't strike me as "excessive"

I also "feel" that if the bearing were nearing imminent failure, it would be more obvious

sure is pricey to replace, if its not necessary to do so.

I hope you get Rodbolt's input...

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Just called Yamaha tech. They said there should be no play as described.

[panasonic]

Well I guess you will be getting a new one then. When you get it replaced pick the rubber seals out of the old bearing and see what's up...

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Well I guess you will be getting a new one then. When you get it replaced pick the rubber seals out of the old bearing and see what's up...

Yep, already ordered from here.

Engines still set at TDC, etc, so the swap should go pretty easy being one bolt and very easily accessible. If it wasn't sloppy, I'd try simply re-greasing but that won't fix any wear..

[Kirk Gibson]

Bearing

I have twin 150s (2008/2010) they have 300 hrs. and run perfect (knock on wood)
Just went out and checked both and from just reaching in from the side I could get a VERY slight up & down movement but when I tried to teeter them there is NO movement. (hope that makes sense)

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have twin 150s (2008/2010) they have 300 hrs. and run perfect (knock on wood)
Just went out and checked both and from just reaching in from the side I could get a VERY slight up & down movement but when I tried to teeter them there is NO movement. (hope that makes sense)

Thanks Kirk...

Unless you lock up the tensioner (un-loaded with a 5mm pin installed, @TDC, etc) it's pretty hard to tell. I don't have any up and down movement, just the "rocking" (again, about .015"). Also the clicking when I put a large screw driver to the unit and my ear when the engines running...

[Kirk Gibson]

Makes sense

Yeah, I guess it would have to be unloaded to really tell the tale.
The clicking noise with the screwdriver would make me wonder too.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Ordered the part mid morning today, it'll be here TOMORROW afternoon (free shipping)..

Installation is Wednesday (have prior plans tomorrow). I'll update once installed..


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