Dorman tensioner for 3800 v6
- Thread starter easym
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Dorman products are very hit or miss. Mostly miss, but if you need one and it's $22 to keep a 2001 vehicle going, why not? I say go for it. Put on a new belt too.
Over 100 reviews here:
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-419-014-Automatic-Belt-Tensioner/dp/B00GHTDH12
How much for a better one like a Dayco?
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-419-014-Automatic-Belt-Tensioner/dp/B00GHTDH12
How much for a better one like a Dayco?
If you really want to save money, buy either an OEM (if still available) or a high quality aftermarket.
It will probably last longer without issues. Do it once and do it right.
Dorfman is the last resort when there is no longer any other options.
It will probably last longer without issues. Do it once and do it right.
Dorfman is the last resort when there is no longer any other options.
I just bought a Dayco one for my jeep. It's made in USA. Hopefully it's ok for a few years
Agree. Litens (made in Canada) is the OEM for these tensioners. Seventy bucks on Rock Auto. Much better long-term bet than a Chinese Dorman part.
Understand you sometimes have no choice. My personal rules for using Chinese parts are 1) they have to be a non-critical part, and 2) they have to be easy to swap. Since this is a water-passage tensioner, problems could arise with both the belt drive and cooling system. Too much risk for me.
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Alot of trash talk about Dorman. Meanwhile my Dorman Solenoids, Ball Joints, Bushings, coolant Orings have all been fine!
You have to discriminate a bit with a lot of these brands. Some of their parts are repackaged units from other manufacturers, some are low-risk/non-critical parts, and some are outright trash.
I have no problem using Dorman for something like a sway bar bushing bracket, but will not use their parts for something critical that's buried under the hood and takes eight hours to swap. I don't like to repeat my work when a cheap part fails.
You can get the actual OE Litens tensioner on Rock Auto
Regardless of what tensioner you get, make sure you swap out the plastic elbows for metal elbows! Also, do not use the O-rings that come on the new elbows. Put OE O-rings on the metal elbows.
Regardless of what tensioner you get, make sure you swap out the plastic elbows for metal elbows! Also, do not use the O-rings that come on the new elbows. Put OE O-rings on the metal elbows.
Did you put the Dorman solenoids in your Subaru CVT? I honestly don't remember....
Any minute now I'll be receiving an Autotechnica oil pressure sender for a GMT360 4.2 (was surprised to see O'Reilly selling Autotechnica). That's about $30, while my only other option -- for immediate delivery -- was Dorman for $50. Dorman's already fooled me twice in the past with electrical stuff so shame on me. While I'm sure the Autotechnica is Chinese junk I'm not convinced the Dorman isn't equally Chinese junk.
Something that does NOT say Dorman and costs less? Sold! I'll take my chances. Dorman made this bed for themselves based upon my previous experiences.
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My point exactly.
Something like a door handle or some non critical part that is unavailable from another source, fine.
Not only do I like not repeating my work or paying to have it redone, I literally despise a cheap part creating expensive damage to one of my vehicles.
Such as the time that I had a Cam Synchronizer replaced on a Taurus I had. I was unaware that the garage had replaced it with a Dorman sourced from one of the part stores. It lasted about 2 commutes to work (< than 400 miles.) Fortunately, I heard the noise, and got it back in time before it did any damage.
And, yes, It was replaced with a Motorcraft on their dime.
So, IMO, my Dorfman disgust is well earned. If that bunches anyones boxers, too bad for them.
They offer a tee for the rear climate control coolant lines in '06-10 Exploders. It's a common failure and a godsend because OEM is/was expensive and of course Ford no longer supports such a platform.
Note: coolant lines have exactly ZERO moving parts. But Dorman still manages to screw it up by using a 3/4" hose where you need 5/8". This is commonly noted in reviews, too
Post in thread 'What are you working on today?' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-are-you-working-on-today.331303/post-6740938
So yeah, it can be dead simple with no moving parts and no electrical and they still get it wrong.
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