Cooling System
Timing Belt Tensioner
We list 30 belt tensioners from $29 to $272 for 1989-2019 vehicles, covering primary, accessory drive, fan and alternator, main drive and air conditioning positions. Brands include Dorman, Dayco, Gates and AC Delco, with many fits for the Chevrolet Camaro and Honda Pilot and Odyssey.
Shop timing belt tensioner by vehicle
What a tensioner does
A belt tensioner uses a spring or hydraulic mechanism to keep constant pressure on a drive belt. It takes up slack as the belt stretches and absorbs shock when engine speed changes.
This category includes many serpentine and accessory belt tensioners as well as timing belt units. Read the listing to confirm which belt your tensioner serves, and check the position name for your engine.
Signs of a worn tensioner
Common signs include squealing or chirping from the belt, a grinding or rattling noise from the pulley bearing, an arm that bounces or vibrates at idle, and uneven wear on the belt edges.
With the engine off, check that the pulley spins smoothly and quietly. Rust streaks from the pivot, a cracked housing or an arm that sits at its travel stop also point to replacement. A worn tensioner can let the belt slip or come off.
Choosing and fitting
Engines with more than one belt can use separate tensioners, such as a primary drive and an air conditioning tensioner. Match the position and belt type to your engine. Some listings include extra O-rings or an elbow connector for engines with a coolant passage.
Note the belt routing before you remove the belt. Fit the new belt at the same time if the old one is cracked or glazed. Confirm your engine in the fitment table.
Timing Belt Tensioner questions
Should I replace the belt with the tensioner?
It is a good idea. A worn tensioner often damages the belt, and a new belt on a weak tensioner can still slip. Replacing both gives you a fresh start.
How do I know if the noise is the tensioner or the belt?
Remove the belt and spin the tensioner pulley by hand. If it grinds, wobbles or feels rough, the tensioner is worn. A smooth pulley points to the belt or another component.
Is a timing belt tensioner the same as a serpentine tensioner?
No. They serve different belts and are not interchangeable. Check the position and belt type on each listing to find the one your engine needs.