Idler pulley

[pullinpower]

Well at 30k my idler pulley is jumping around and making some noise.My truck was built on 3/01 and they changed the setup for 02,my question is do I get the 02 idler or will I get the old style 01? :rolleyes:

[hoot]

Pullinpower,

I also see mine doing the same. I believe they said we will get the same replacement unit as the newer one is totally different.

[dcpdave]

pullinpower,
is it the idler pulley, or possibly the belt tensioner? my guess is the tensioner, we have not had an idler problem, but we have replaced a couple of tensioners. the tensioner design did change for '02, and it will not fit on an '01. the mounting bracket is totally different. g.m. has not updated(improved) the '01 tensioner, but we have not had any further problems with the two that we replaced.
hope this helps,

[pullinpower]

dcpdave,it is the belt tensioner thats jumping around and making some noise.I hate to hear that we cant get the 02 version. :mad:

[pullinpower]

Well looks like I need to take her in for the idler tensioner,starting to make some more noise.Do you guys think I should have them to replace my belt while there doing it?

[SoMnDMAX]

PP, if they'll do it under warranty, sure, why not... :D

How many miles do you have? If you're around 40K, it'd be good insurance to replace it. A $40 belt can go a long ways towards saving yourself some major headaches.

[alamovet]

My 2001 D/A has 40k on it now and since the moment I bought it the belt tensioner seems to jump back and forth. Every time I've taken it to the shop I've been told..."that's normal." I don't think that its making any noise, but it bugs me seeing it jumping from side to side like that :eek:

Is this normal for an 01?

[JF]

Belt tensioner jumping is "normal". Unfortunately updated design is not available as retro-fit. If it goes, it's replaced with same. If this is only problem we have, no big deal. Tensioners are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.

[hoot]

I noticed the roller on mine is looking pretty sloppy. I think the bearing is getting ready to go. That's the part of the engine GM designed.

[BradL]

Is anyone aware of a TSB on the belt tensioner?

Mine also jumps about quite a bit and sounds as if the bearings are shot. It makes quite a bit of noise - grinding - at start up.

I've got about 31,000 miles on mine, and its been doing this for the past several thousand miles.

[pullinpower]

BradL,just go in and let them swap it out,they swapped mine out with just over 31k also.Its fine now. :D I understand they changed the system up in 02. :mad:

[ 07-03-2002: Message edited by: pullinpower ]</p>

[BigO]

It is normal for a tensioner to have slight movement in it. 0ne to four MM is alright. Remember that their purpose is to keep proper tension on the belt, in order to do so it has to move some.

I would be sure to replace the belt at the same time, one belt drives everything, your choice, you could be driving down the road or looking at your truck on the side of the road.

[letsgo]

If you remove the tention on the belt, then hold the idler pully and wiggle it side ways and it moves 1/8 to 1/4 inch replace it, or spin the pully by hand,if it spins freely greese has gone, do the same with the idle pully. I have 160,000 miles on my other GM vehical and have replaced 6 pullies so far and I'm also on my third alternator, it would seem the serpentine belts put one heck of a load on those bearings.

good luck

GMC 2002 DURAMAX SLT EXCAB SHORT BOX 2500HD 4X4 AUTO