belt tensioner assembly

[bushog]

1994 f250 non-turbo diesel. Once again belt tensioner assemb. has came apart today, this time doing more damage than ever. Just replaced for the second time in January `07. Have read a little before about problems with this part,updated Ford part,etc. Am confused on what part to replace with this time, or what part# to look for for replacement. Replacements in the past have came from Ford dealer, should i still get from Ford, go to Napa or what? any feedback would be helpful,thanks

[Airmotive]

No help here...only sympathy. Replaced mine last month. I cannot freaking believe they make these out of cast aluminum! Of all the places to save 8 oz by making a part out of aluminum instead of steel. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

If anyone knows where to get a steel tensioner....

[cdnsarguy]

Not only is the correct tensioner required but the belt length is also very important. What exactly does "come apart" mean .... bolt come loose, spring broke, aluminum casing crack. If it was replaced under 1 year take it and the bill of sale back to Ford.... most parts are warranteed for 1 year. Which tensioner is it internal spring or external......

[Alcan]

Bushog,

Here's the info you need on which tensioner to use, compliments of dieselmann's IDI page...

Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) belt and tensioner application
"Serpentine" belt-equiped engines

Standard F-series and E-van with 130 amp alternator:

92 and 93 with "cassette" type tensioner; TORX-head retaining bolt
Belt--F5TZ-8620-CB; Tensioner--F2TZ-6B209-D
92-94 with "damped" type tensioner; 13mm-head retaining bolt
Belt--F4TZ-8620-T; Tensioner--F4TZ-6B209-A
92-94 with "shock" type tensioner
Belt--F4TZ-8620-T; Tesioner--F4TZ-6B209-C
All above should have belt guide F5TZ-8680-AA installed on vacuum pump.

92-94 Ambulance package and school bus with 130 amp alternator:
Should have Recall 96B83 update kit F5PZ-8A630-BA installed; "shock" type tensioner
Belt--F4TZ-8620-T; Tensioner--F4TZ-6B209-C
92-94 Ambulance package and school bus with 160 amp alternator:
Should have Recall 96B83 update kit F5TZ-8A630-AA installed; "shock" type tensioner
Belt--F4TZ-8620-L; Tensioner--F4TZ-6B209-C

All vehicles listed use flanged idler pulley F5TZ-8687-BA

And here's dieselmann's weblink: dieselmann's page

Good luck!

Paul

[Fozz]

Get the NAPA tensioner. The Ford one has a plastic roller that wears quickly contributing to belt issues. The NAPA one has a metal roller that doesn't wear and disfigure. Realistically, I think any tensioner is good for only about 30-40k miles. It's weird, I just replaced my serpentine belt last week, it jumped and sawed my a/c compressor connector in half before I was able to pull over. I replaced the tensioner and belt (again) with NAPA. Hopefully I'm good now, especially since I'm driving to N.M. in a couple of weeks!

[bushog]

The roller is not the problem, the tensoiner housing itself is what keeps breaking,then pushes itself out towards fan,etc.

[cdnsarguy]

OK so is the belt too tight or too loose........there should be a bit of slack in the spring mechanism. There have been belt length updates by Dayco recently.

[bushog]

Update on tensioner problem.Have replaced broken tensioner with Ford F4TZ-6B209-A (same as what was on before, been thru 3 or so in last 18 months), and added belt Ford F4TZ-8620-T ( this belt will not go on, it`s too short). Before was running with Gates belt, will have to look up the #. Not sure what to try next, really getting tired of these things breaking. After looking at Alcan`s post again, will check and make sure I`am running the correct belt guide(F5TZ-8680-AA).After talking with Ford dealer and as other`s have mentioned on here correct belt length seems to be possible culpret. Was told to make sure mark on tensioner is to be as close to the middle as possible. With another(spare) Gates belt on when riding is at the far right on the space, certainly no where near the middle. Thanks again,bushog

1994 F250 IDI 7.3 non-turbo ,built 4/94

[arthurgoboom]

You should be able to buy serpentine belts by length at your local auto parts store. Every one I have ever purchased had the length printed on it, so they should be able to find one the next inch longer than the one you have that's too short.

[Weezer]

I'm running a NAPA 061120 (112.5"). Same one for 4 years.

[GaryBecker]

[ QUOTE ]
Update on tensioner problem.Have replaced broken tensioner with Ford F4TZ-6B209-A (same as what was on before, been thru 3 or so in last 18 months), and added belt Ford F4TZ-8620-T ( this belt will not go on, it`s too short). Before was running with Gates belt, will have to look up the #. Not sure what to try next, really getting tired of these things breaking. After looking at Alcan`s post again, will check and make sure I`am running the correct belt guide(F5TZ-8680-AA).After talking with Ford dealer and as other`s have mentioned on here correct belt length seems to be possible culpret. Was told to make sure mark on tensioner is to be as close to the middle as possible. With another(spare) Gates belt on when riding is at the far right on the space, certainly no where near the middle. Thanks again,bushog

1994 F250 IDI 7.3 non-turbo ,built 4/94

[/ QUOTE ]


I had issues with the belt jumping off (twice). The F4TZ-6B209-A belt tensioner is the latest replacement design and may be a replacement (upgrade) for all parts previously listed – check with the stealership before ordering even from auto-parts store. I had the shock style tensioner and replaced it with this one. I also replaced all the idler pulleys and bearings found the bearing was bad in one. I would only get the pulley covers from Ford, the after market ones are of suspect quality and may cause premature bearing and or belt failure.The recommended belt for a 93 n/a non-AC engine I got from the stealership (same belt from NAPA) did not fit either so I went back to the gates K061120. To clarify belt length (from gates dot com): effective length is 111.99” (1120), the outside circ is 112.56. One other thing you may want to check is the idle rpm. I found that at idle my tensioner was jumping quite a bit; with a slight increase in rpm the jumping was dampened quite a bit. Have not had any issues for almost 3 years now – same belt also.

93