Winnebago Rialta Eurovan Tensioner Pulley Replacement

Replacing the Tensioner Pulley on a Winnebago Rialta or Eurovan.
The only part needed for the job are the Tensioner Pulley. I used the Gates 45032 from Rockauto. It is a plastic pulley like the original and cost around $12. Alternatively you can get a higher quality Aluminum Pulley from germanautoparts.com for $80 and features a replaceable bearing. Also it is a good time to replace the serpentine belt if yours is old or worn out. The Continental Contitech is a good replacement but be sure to get the correct size for your year and accessories.
For tools, you will need a 13mm and 15mm socket wrench, a torque wrench set to 30 ft lbs, and a M8x1.25x80mm bolt to relieve the tension on the pulley. If you just want to repack your tensioner pulley bearing a small flat head screwdriver can be used to remove the bearing seal.

[@dougfrommaine]

I'm so glad I found your post - thank you so much! I removed the belly pan from my wife's '99 Eurovan a few weeks ago to do an oil change, and found ball bearings and shards of pulley scattered about. I don't know how long the van had been running without a tensioner pulley, but there weren't any obvious symptoms. The belt, which was old and cracked, but not at all shredded or damaged, was just running over the conical washer and spacer sleeve from the remains of the old pulley. I ordered the Four Seasons 45032 pulley for $11.77 + shipping from RockAuto, and it was a perfect fit. I also replaced the belt while I was at it, which was a Contitech 7DPK1400. I don't think anyone had ever released the belt tension using the M8 bolt - the casting was a bit corroded, and tightening the bolt was really slow going at 1/8 turn at a time, with considerable force required. Never having done this before, and not wanting to risk wrecking the aluminum casting, I opted to take out the whole tensioner unit, which just required removing the three bolts which hold it on. (Note: I don't think you'd want to do that if there was tension on the belt - in my case, due to the missing pulley, I was able to just slide the belt right off before removing it.) I was then able to clean and lube the M8 threads, more closely inspect the assembly, and screw in the M8 bolt to de-tension the tensioner in a more comfortable position. I put on the new tensioner pulley (as Rialta99 says in the video, remember that it's REVERSE THREADED), mounted the de-tensioned assembly back on the engine with the M8 bolt in place, installed the belt, and then backed-out the M8 bolt, which required a whole lot less effort than screwing it in. Super easy job, and saved a lot of money vs. replacing the entire tensioner assembly! Thanks again!!

[@vwbus79]

Wow it is amazing that the Eurovan was still running. Glad the video was helpful. I would check the pulley every 25K miles to make sure it still turns smoothly. Thanks for the detailed write up as it will help others do the repair.

[@quartamile]

Thank you for sharing!

[@mtarchal]

This procedure is very good alternative and description. Despite the tensioner wheel (bearing) not available for my Eurovan, the VR6 tensioners are similar for VR6, so the part used from this procedure fit perfectly. I used the tensioner wheel from a 1996 VR6 on a 2003 Eurovan. EXACT fit. Cost 17$ Thanks for the great video.

[@poptop1]

How do you pry open the bearing to degrease? I’ve only destroyed them tryin?

[@vwbus79]

I just used a really small flat head screwdriver to remove the bearing cap. Then I packed in new wheel bearing grease. I did not remove the bearings themselves.

[@repairservant2659]

Hi Dear. Thank for the video. I have a 2002 rialta too. I want to replace Belt Idler Pulley . How can I buy a Pulley. Thanks.

[@mtarchal]

I have a 2003 eurovan, it looks the same procedure. Funny my idler pulley does not have the black ribbed plastic wheel that holds the belt, it looks like its missing from my 2003 Eurovan! I just have the bearing underneath and the belt was riding on that (not even wide enough). Will FOUR SEASONS work on 2003 eurovan (V6, 2.8) ?

[@oneundecided]

Hi do you know if the engine has a timing belt or chain? Thank you!

[@vwbus79]

It has a timing chain. I believe certain 2002 models had a timing chain sprocket that wears out prematurely. Something to check on if you have an early 24 Valve engine.

[@88rhino10]

What year is your Rialta? Need to do the same thing on my '01 Eurovan, but the part number is not coming up for just the pulley...

[@brianrand7191]

search FOUR SEASONS 45032 not Gates

[@GarthGoldberg]

Is this the AXK (4V) motor?

[@skylinefever]

The 01 Eurovan would have an AXK engine.