How to replace Drive Belt tensioner on Lexus RX350 2007 to 2015 & Toyota Avalon

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[@eddielozada3694]

And that is the basic problem of front wheel drive engines. Everything is cramped and difficult to reach. It inevitable to have some components hidden, like the crankshaft sensor. Regarding the video: Good explanations but never showed how you did it. You could take the videos of you actually making the job and fast forward them to save some time. Other than that its ok. Thank you for sharing this big job!!!

[@jordanyoung3073]

I agree with you wish he would have recorded everything

[@chrisvantran1845]

Wow.... I'm doing the water pump and im happy I can just remove the pulley for the tensioner. How stupid of a idea to bolt the bracket behind the AC compressor.

[@edwardthayer9386]

What the hell was Toyota thinking! Whoever designed that needs to be beat up! Great job though!

[@RBTheMechanic]

Edward Thayer really u took my words they must of been thinking how to screw the car owner and the mechanic .... please subscribe also subscribe to my other channel the name is rcusa201

[@norakat]

They prob do it intensionally to increase the income for the dealers through their service centers.

[@M0NkEyP0o]

Thank you for this video. Just replaced mine 2 days ago. took me about 8 hours. now i need to replace the pump because its making the noise. but the tensioner was wobbling too

[@RBTheMechanic]

Yeah this is crazy

[@norakat]

A message to those who have this problem: tensioner bounces around with the AC on and/or screeching or rattling sound from around the serpentine belt - very often it is the alternator pulley and neither the AC compressor or tensioner so try that first.

[@lovefromm]

very true! mine is 07 with the same problem. i replaced only alt pulley (oad), water pump and belt. the rest parts are still great.

[@dww954]

Great presentation format and for showing/explaining just the important disassembly details. Very helpful, thanks for taking the time and effort to show us.

[@jhfjhfkf]

Thank you, very detailed,!!!! Really appreciate you showing us.

[@RBTheMechanic]

No problem it was heck of a job!!

[@encinobalboa]

I can change belt tensioner and idler pulley in 10 minutes on my Crown Vic. Changing alternator would take another 2 minutes. Heck, while belt is off might as well change water pump which is another 10 minutes.

[@RBTheMechanic]

Yeah I use to work on those everything is right up in front easy peazy

[@wilassguess]

Good job man.

[@davidbreiner2682]

Great overview. I believe the Belt Tensioner on my 2007 Toyota Sienna LE V6 3.5L would be the same procedure.

[@RBTheMechanic]

David Breiner well my friend I have a sienna 2009 I have encountered the same problem but at that time I didn’t do videos I changed belt the pullies and alll ..... noise continued same noise you got ... I did another car lexuse rx350 changed tensnor noise stayed .... one thing I noticed was the noise got worst soon as I put ac on and then I replaced ac compressor and it was fixed.

[@davidbreiner2682]

@@RBTheMechanic Thanks. The noise definitely gets worse when the AC Compressor is on. Perhaps I'll wait until the AC Compressor goes and change the Tensioner at the time also...

[@RBTheMechanic]

David Breiner yup 👍 that’s exactly what my plan is not changing it until the compressor goes here’s the link to the Lexus I changed the tensnor on but after that we compressor was changed kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYSchWNsi8mEgpI

[@RBTheMechanic]

David Breiner ASIN it’s OEM gates I have had problem with lotta time I use to put water pumps and they always leaks after few months so go with ASIN or AcDELCO

[@davidbreiner2682]

@@RBTheMechanic Happy 2021! I forgot to let you know that the cause of my 2007 Sienna annoying belt chirp noise ended up being the Alternator pulley bearing. I replaced with a Reman Denso (~4 hours) without removing the front bumper, radiator, condensor. I did end up replacing the 2 idler pulleys and the tensioner pulley. Stay well...

[@tuantrd]

No need to remove the tensioner just replace the pulley take less than 30 min

[@RBTheMechanic]

sky nguyen the tensnor was bad spring was no good pully was not the problem

[@dduktube]

How do you remove the tensioner pulley in less 30 min unless you mean "idler" pulley? Tensioner pulley is pain to get at due to tight space + it moves. My car is 2009 RX 350 with 2GR-FE. It wobbles a lot and making clacking and grinding noise.

[@jhb9254]

@@dduktube I have the exact same model how many miles does yours have?

[@dduktube]

@@jhb9254 I done it lat ueat with 166k miles. I went the route of just replacing belt tensioner pulley and other idler pulleys. Didn't want to pay $600+ for tensioner. Lexus is no different than European cars...$$$.

[@arjoontauckoory9183]

@@dduktube you don’t know what you’re talking about mate. I’m a mech and I can tell you euro cars are utter bullshit. Lexus/ Toyota engines are reliable as. I’m disappointed at Lexus for putting a tensioner bracket behind an A/C comp. and alternator. But also the GR- series are strong and reliable. Seen a lot with 400k kms here, still running fine. Btw, doing this on my missus’s IS250 with 104k kms only. V6 engines are compromised. I was disappointed at Lexus for the sticky dash and disintegrating door cards, now this!

[@vigourdiy5084]

Doing this on a 2009 ES350, same procedure i think. AllData has no information on the procedure.. It may be wise to change crank sensor also.. car has 167,000k

[@RBTheMechanic]

Yup thanks

[@rgcme33]

How did you know you needed the tensioner replaced? I have a 2009 es350 172k and mine is chattering when the ac and headlights are on. I just replaced alternator and now I am noticing this problem.

[@jasonbiggsimmsimmons2664]

Man all you had to do was take off the passenger wheel to get to it.

[@RBTheMechanic]

The bracket? U sureeee? Try it

[@mefirst4266]

THEN WROTE (sky nguyen the tensnor was bad spring was no good pully was not the problem) TOLD YOU SOMEONE HAS FOUND ONE.......... I NEVER HAVE. IT IS JUST A DAMN SPRING. A BIG SPRING.

[@msimm8612]

Dang i think i'll just change the belt

[@RBTheMechanic]

m simm I had another car similar problem I ended up changing ac compressor first changed belt then tensnor then ac compressor same with with Toyota Sienna

[@msimm8612]

I have a 2010 rx350 and I think I’ll just change the belt because it’s simple.

[@RBTheMechanic]

m simm yeah just to give you tip if you put the ac on and it start to squak that’s then ac compressor got to go and I would know out the tensnor at the same time do the belt 1st you never know .. u might just be in luck

[@norakat]

Compare that to removing this tensioner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWW8c4aPjq-qetE .. I am not sure if it’s the same situation but a guy who worked on 09’ Toyota Venza 3.5 said he was able to change tensioner without removing the radiator. He said he unmounted the ac compressor with lines intact and moved it upwards along w alternator bolts removed and was able to remove tensioner from the wheel well 🤷‍♂️

[@jasonbiggsimmsimmons2664]

WOW you had access to the tensioner from the wheel and you still did all the other stuff. Man that was a huge waste of time.