Remove accessory drive belt tensioner?

[Merkava_4]

2000 Buick LeSabre 3800 V6

The accessory drive belt tensioner is directly over the rear valve cover - do I need to remove it?

It's a pretty big part and don't want to remove it if I don't have to, but I can't see how the valve cover could come off with it hovering directly over it like that. There's only about a 1/2 inch space between the valve cover and the accessory drive belt tensioner. The service manuel makes no mention of the accessory drive belt tensioner when describing the rear valve cover removal instructions.

 

[Merkava_4]

Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner

 

[The_Eric]

It has to come off. Replace the two plastic elbows with genuine GM parts. The aftermarket ones will either leak or break much, much soone than the GM parts. Use some fine emery or scotch brite to clean the passages where the o-rings seal.

If the tensioner is due for replacement, it may come with elbows. Don't use them. Go to the dealer for them.

 

[Merkava_4]

The_Eric,

What do you think about these new aluminum elbows? Would they hold up?

 

[The_Eric]

Elbows are fine but the o-rings rot out too soon.

 

[Merkava_4]

O-rings on the aluminum elbows rot out? Seriously?

 

[Chris142]

Ya put some silicone on the orings then put it together.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ya put some silicone on the orings then put it together.


Silicone grease or silicone RTV ?

 

[The_Eric]

Seriously. I used to just think the plastic elbows were the issue until I had an o-ring leak on my wifes car. Not the same part, but a Chinese o-ring all the same. It was cracked and leaking. All the aftermarket companies that I know of use Chinese sourced o-rings and elbows.

Get GM parts. Even if they're Chinese sourced (I dont know if they are), they do last longer and work better.

 

[The_Eric]

You'll get varying opinions but I only use silicone grease. If the sealing surface is clean and free of pits then you don't need silicone sealant.

 

[Merkava_4]

The_Eric,

Thank you for your help sir. Much appreciated.

 

[The_Eric]

Anytime.



Let me add to my above post that the aftermarket plastic elbows crack too. The way I worded it made it sound like only the o-rings crack or rot out.