How to Replace Tensioner 07-09 Toyota FJ Cruiser

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@brianpitterle6113]

Thank you for making these videos. Very helpful, I've used your videos for 6 different repairs. Probably saved $2K.

[@daf664]

This was an absolute huge help in getting my stuck truck back on the road. Thank you so much!

[@1AAuto]

+Jay Moher Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@4thGen4runner__]

Save yourself the headache to where you're seeing red and REMOVE the ALTERNATOR. You will fight with that A/C Compressor to no end. After struggling with it I finally removed the alternator and went from 0 room to all the room. Then you'll also be able spread the bushing correctly, and not make it rough/gouged from beating on it, which makes it harder to get back on. Also beating on it like that is not good for the body of the alternator.

[@1AAuto]

+Ryan Sullivan Thanks for the tip! We'll pass this info along to our production team.

[@oday3514]

I pulled the alternator from my Tacoma with the same motor in order to replace the pulley (rust), and it was not difficult. After watching this video, I would DEFINITELY do that again if I need to change the tensioner.

[@shortydancer]

Is this is the 1gr-fe engine? If so, would this video also apply to Tacoma’s in the same year range?

[@evandrewmartinez1]

Should be the same

[@TheDavidLMills]

Great instructional video, best I've seen

[@1AAuto]

+David Mills Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@TC-zi2yp]

So was the tensioner actually shot or did someone talk this guy into replacing that because his belt was making noise from the coolant leaking on it?

[@davidrsmith2417]

Did you remove the (-) Battery cable first? Toyota recommends this.

[@CO84trucker]

And plug in a memory saver so you don't have clock showing 00:00 and lose radio presets!

[@jwwelder07]

That's a lot of work to replace tensioner, Does the whole tensioner needed to be replace or you can just replace the tensioner pulley only, I heard most people just do that and it works.

[@Shaqtech1]

There are other Toyota vehicles got same kind of tensioner, like the one I’m talking about is Sienna and replacing pulley only does help little bit but you will still hear the noise specially when you have AC on, that original noise come from the tensioner spring or whatever the mechanical setup they have made inside of it, on the top, the way they designed it and attached it right behind the AC compressor, they know how to get us,

[@oday3514]

If the bearings in the pulley are the only problem (and the serp. belt is tight), you can get by, either by pulling the pulley from the tensioner (REVERSE threaded bolt!) and replacing the bearing, or simply replacing the pulley. However, if your belt is loose, you will need to replace the tensioner assembly.

[@primafacie6442]

Great explanation and outstanding videography 👍🏽 I learnt the hard way and always remove parts from the engine bay and place them on an adjacent clean uncluttered area. By example if you did replace the radiator cap, there’s potential to leave the old one on the washer bottle, even worse dropping the hood could cause damage.🫣 Also it’s easier to account for the replacement of all parts and particularly fasteners.

[@1AAuto]

+@primafacie6442 Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@norakat]

So calm and chippy throughout.. Maybe because it’s not your car and you’re in a professional facility. Every time I find a new problem or have to remove another component, I mush my face w my palm and take a deep breath feeling hopeless 🤦‍♂️😩

[@Jeb2015yt]

Lol... I like throw in some sitting and staring off into the distance

[@kevenher4120]

good work and great visibility!

[@1AAuto]

+Keven Her Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@lsbautista21]

Any videos for the 3rd gen tacoma idler pulleys or belt replacements .. Thank you.

[@sherk05]

Same here i need to replace my pulleys and belt having some issues make noises under 30000miles do you have the same issues?

[@timparker3272]

Excellent Video except no Water Pump replacement demonstration!! Tensioner appears to be slightly cumbersome, but what isn't? Might be easier just to replace the Tensioner Pulley, unless of course the tensioner is worn out, and how do measure the tension to ascertain whether replacement is warranted? Mine still has plenty of tension and the belt is very snug on the pulleys and idlers.... What components, if any, did you have to remove to gain full access to the Water Pump for removal and installation?

[@czurz79]

That is a huge job. Do you know what a shop would charge for this replacement? I'm currently working on a similar tensioner on a 08 Rav-4 V6. There is very little space! Thanks for the vid👍

[@s.gromme6399]

Ceez Toyota dealership told me 5 hrs.

[@s.gromme6399]

5 hrs for 2011 Rav4 6 cylinder.

[@NoahKuzel]

It is a 2 hour job for the tensioner and a 3 hour job for the water pump.

[@daArchitect-]

Watching this video makes me want to run out and get a water pump now. Not sure when it was last changed. All the steps so far will have to be done again if my pump goes out anytime.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

you have to take half the damnd accessories off the engine to replace a belt tensioner? that's insane, no wonder it costs so much to work on Toyotas. I remember replacing my starter was equally ridiculous. this should be an easy fix not a strip down operation

[@nordicpride9708]

Try working on a 4th Gen Camaro with an LT-1. Makes Toyotas look like child’s play. This isn’t a hard job

[@oday3514]

It would be great to know how many miles (approx.) were on this vehicle when the work was done. It is nice to see that this was not some "garage queen," and the frame and engine were crusty. Great video - at least up until you used the wrong coolant.

[@mountainhopper9573]

Ok if the tensioner bearing can be removed and eve. The spring also and replace with new bearing from a bearing house you could avoid all that work, but can that bearing be removed?? Most likely it would be the bearing that needs replacing not the spring.

[@norakat]

Sometime spring gets weak, other times bearing goes bad.

[@davidrsmith2417]

The pulley can be removed from the tensioner, but CAUTION, it is a left hand thread and its on tight. Righty Loosey! NOT Lefty Loosey, etc.

[@emercall7418]

I suggest to all include the torque specs for the tensioner mounting bolts. Thanks

[@JT-un7dc]

☝

[@jnepute]

According to the Toyota FSM, the torque specs for the tensioner mounting bolts are 27 ft-lbs for my 2nd Gen. Tacoma (2005-2015). It is the same engine as the FJ, so should be the same torque specs. The torque specs on the bolt holding the pulley to the tensioner is 39 ft-lbs (this bolt is REVERSE THREADED!!). Hope that helps everyone.

[@ARehman11194]

Is it necessary to drain the coolant and remove the fan to change the tensioner or is this due to the water pump being done at the same time?

[@1AAuto]

+Adil Rehman It is usually required to remove some of the coolant as these sensors are going to be mounted in an area that will expose it to coolant and any coolant above it will leak out. Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@cinca0989]

+1A Auto Parts Do you have/can you do a video on this same repair for a 9th Gen Corolla/1st Gen Matrix? I would definitely buy the parts from you if that's the case. Thanks in advance!

[@1AAuto]

+Cinca0989 We currently do not have an auto repair video that covers this particular repair. We will keep this request in mind in the event that we need to make this repair in the future. 1aauto.com

[@liperonus]

There's no way you can do this job without a lift.If you hear a tapping noise when the ac is on,the tensioner spring is weak. This job is a complete nightmare. If I had a lift I would do it.

[@mountainhopper9573]

Man this reminds me of fords not better ideas/design of having to take the engine half appart to change water pump because all this stuff hang on it. Of the 70s 80s dont know how the newer ones are. Even ford certified mechanis rather work on a chevy than a ford. Ived ask them.

[@odomandr]

Oof. So while doing the idlers and tensioner I should go ahead and do a water pump and alternator.....130k. Don't want to have to get into that again...

[@shortydancer]

I have an 07 115k miles. I’m thinking about the same thing. Might as well do some preventative maintenance. But not sure if it’s better to just wait to see when it fails or so.

[@marcelofelipe845]

Faz uma troca de Coreia da Hilux gasolina

[@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana]

Sunday, July 25, 2021 A question for anyone: The tensioner bolt on my 2004 Corolla snapped. The car has 107,000 miles. It was a real project to get the broken bolt out of the engine block, with trying different drill bits and using a right angle drill attachment. I finally got the remains of the broken bolt out last night, woo hoo! Is it worth using Permatex anti-seize compound for aluminum on the new bolt? It's a 3 hour trip by bus and bicycle to buy a bottle from Menard's Hardware Store. Thank you much.

[@joeym8158]

I did this on my 09 xrunner didn’t have to take none of this off

[@cryptocraze9550]

“Here go the hook right here” you mean here goes the hooks I.bent

[@PeterEndelt]

👍

[@dagopulido5952]

Seems like you are really trying to make my life miserable with all this work ,congratulations dude.

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

Jesus the salt have eaten that Tacoma undercarriage...🤦‍♂️

[@diannapoe]

Ummm... that's not a Tacoma, lol.

[@mountainhopper9573]

It makes me very angry watching this video what a lousy design. To have to remove all this for that after thought design. This is probably done for easy assembly at factory.

[@Shaqtech1]

For easy assembly and for the future income for the company you know.

[@jonihli6225]

It is extremely difficult, not "easy peasy". Don't try it if your not a mechanic.

[@JT-un7dc]

👍