Need Parts Recommendation

[NibbanaBanana]

Greetings BITOG,

I need to replace the accessory belt tensioner and idler pulley on my 2006 Chevy Aveo. RockAuto lists 6 different tensioners ranging from $24 - $50, and 5 different idlers ranging from $13 - $40.

Tensioners
ACDelco $24
Dayco $30
Continetal $33
Gates $34
Auto 7 $35
ACDelco OEM $50

Idlers
Gates $13
Continental $13
Gates $16
ACDelco $17
ACDelco OEM $40

Any advice on what is best and/or what is best value would be appreciated. What are the better quality brands these days?

 

[09_GXP]

Make sure you look at shipping costs for the different options. I've found that can make a huge difference sometimes. I've had good luck with Dayco and Gates when it comes to tensioners and belts.

 

[Lubener]

Myself, I would go for OEM. Even the name brand stuff is chinese junk.

 

[danthaman1980]

See if you can find a cheap option with both shipping from the same warehouse. I've had good luck with AC Delco and Gates.

 

[mclasser]

Wonder how much the quality differs between ACDelco and OEM?

See what the guys on Chevy forums have to say. Not sure how easy the access is but you still just want to do the job once and be done. Returns, especially online ones, can be a pain.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

They are all name brands so I would go with the cheapest of each, ACDelco tensioner and Gates idler.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: 09_GXP
Make sure you look at shipping costs for the different options.

This. Amazon's prices are largely the same on these but you can get free shipping if you're a Prime member.

 

[Merkava_4]

I always buy the ACDelco part with the GM part number next to it. I buy alotta parts from RockAuto.

I figure I'm already getting the part half the price of the local auto parts store; why cheap out twice ....

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: Lubener
Myself, I would go for OEM. Even the name brand stuff is chinese junk.

This is a 10 year old Korean-made econobox. How much better do you think the OEM parts really are?

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
This is a 10 year old Korean-made econobox. How much better do you think the OEM parts really are?


I wouldn't want to find out ....

 

[Cressida]

I just purchase a Continetal for another GM application. It was made in Canada and is the same as Goodyear Gatorback. I specifically avoided some other brands based on reviews. Nevertheless, it appeared from pictures that many were using the same part in a different box.

 

[901Memphis]

Gates for both would be the best value I'd guess

 

[NibbanaBanana]

I just recently did a timing set and water pump at 205K. All parts were original except the timing belt. There was a very small coolant leak. After disassembly, it looked like the leak was coming from where the water pump seals against the block. The block had some corrosion that looked like it was causing the o-ring to leak.

Anyway, all the OEM Korean made parts appeared to be in good to perfect condition at 205K miles.

I replaced them with the ACDelco kit, which consisted of a Gates belt and all other parts Chinese made. It was just labeled ACDelco not ACDelco OEM which appears to be the more expensive parts when both are offered. I definitely would have felt better if those parts said "made in Korea".

As I say, this car runs great and I have no monthly payment so is making me a lot of money every month.

 

[nthach]

Gates and Conti/Goodyear tend to rebox Litens-made tensioners for most applications.

 

[Chris142]

I just put a tensioner and a belt on my Jeep. Both dayco and both made in usa

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Use the photos on Rockauto to compare brands. In my application (2001 Silverado), Gates and AC Delco tensioners looked the same, and it wouldn't be surprising to find out Gates made them both.

I went with the Gates tensioner, idler and belt kit. The new and OEM tensioners were both Canadian. The stock idler pulley seemed a little more stout, but both had the same Canadian bearing.

 

[SirTanon]

When I had to replace the Tensioner Pulley on my 2010 Fusion, I went with Gates. That was about 18 months and 30,000 miles ago, and I've had no problems with it.