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Engine whine on cold start 01 tundra, timing belt tensioner?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by beastadam97, Dec 5, 2022.

  1. Dec 5, 2022 at 6:46 PM
    #1
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    01 with 253,000 miles.

    I had the timing belt, water pump assembly, and two idler bearings replaced by the dealership two years ago but like a dummy I didn't replace the timing belt tensioner.

    Recently my truck makes a squeal/whine/bird chirping whistle noise on a cold start for a few minutes that corresponds with the trucks rpms. I went ahead and replaced the drive belt tensioner and idler pully along with the belt itself and it didn't seem to correct the issue.

    After some research I noticed the timing belt tensioner is just two screws at arms reach at the bottom of the engine. Its a simple pin assembly. The belt isn't wrapped around the tensioner therefore it can be removed without touching the belt. Am i wrong or is it possible to literally just unbolt it, bolt in a new one and pull the pin. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but I'm trying to avoid breaking down my whole engine for this damn little tensioner.

    Would it be truck suicide? Would any of the cam gears actually move? It almost seems like they wouldnt.

    Can you guys provide me with your thoughts please.
     
  2. Dec 6, 2022 at 1:35 AM
    #2
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    Serpentine belt? That has been a documented TSB issue over the years.
     
  3. Dec 6, 2022 at 1:59 AM
    #3
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    Run the truck with no serpentine belt and see if your noise remains.
     
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  4. Dec 6, 2022 at 2:23 AM
    #4
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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  5. Dec 6, 2022 at 7:16 AM
    #5
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Good time to say, I prefer the Gates HD belt for a replacement. :D
     
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  6. Dec 6, 2022 at 7:58 AM
    #6
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    Did you replace the whole tensioner assembly or just the bearing? Is there good tension on the serpentine belt when you hook up a wrench to it.
     
  7. Dec 6, 2022 at 8:18 AM
    #7
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    I replaced the big drive belt tensioner and the top idler pully and the serpentine belt itself. I had the timing belt and water pump assembly replaced but not the timing belt tensioner. Alternator was replaced two years ago with a remanufactured one. The timing belt tensioner looks like its right at the bottom of the engine right by the alternator.
     
  8. Dec 6, 2022 at 8:38 AM
    #8
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    This is one of the videos I personally like the most about TB. At 6m18s mark, he shows the tensioner pulley install. Maybe it helps to see?

    I think you'll probably need/want to remove the belt from the passenger side to release tension, which would mean the need to verify timing after. This video can help you with that also

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPpzLJwoxng#t=6m18s
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2022
  9. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:18 AM
    #9
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    upload_2022-12-6_9-8-18.jpg
    Here is a photo of what I'm seeing from the bottom. It looks tempting to just unbolt that sucker and bolt in a new one and pull the pin. I can remove the timing cam covers and sharpie on lines to make sure absolutely nothing moves when tension is released. If so there shouldn't be any problems right? Am i missing something does something else have to be removed to unbolt that tensioner? I will remove the belt and listen for noise, if its gone it might have something to do with the fan.
     
  10. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:21 AM
    #10
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Sorry, you said tensioner, and I heard "tensioner pulley" because I was thinking in my brain "tension ... whine ... must be the pulley".

    He gets into the tensioner at 9m56s. That should answer your questions.
     
  11. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:23 AM
    #11
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Btw, looks almost like your passenger side cam seal may be leaking based on how much oil is on that tensioner. It's possible it could be coming from the passenger valve cover, but this location (I believe) is more consistent with cam seals.
     
  12. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:27 AM
    #12
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    It did for awhile but I replaced those seals 4 years ago. The seals were aftermarket maybe its leaking again but your right the thing is totally in bad shape.
     
  13. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:30 AM
    #13
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    If you replaced, it's probably just leftover from the leak, but nobody ever gets to wiping away anything up under things. The sheen puddled near the bottom of the unit that made me suspect it was fresh/new wetness.

    My driver's side cam seal had been leaking, I just recently took time while replacing the valve covers to wipe everything down along the block so I'd know if additional leaks happened. I quelled my leaking with a bottle of AT-205.
     
  14. Dec 6, 2022 at 9:35 AM
    #14
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    Imagine if this 4.7 engine is really designed in such a way you can replace the timing belt tensioner by laying down unbolting two bolts and then pulling a pin after putting in a new one and your good to go. Its so tempting. It would take 5 minutes. Its just so risky...
     
  15. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:04 AM
    #15
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    I mean, in theory, if you isolate the belt from movement, and can watch to ensure nothing moves significantly, I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to do it. But I'd at least want to have the covers off or enough out of the way that I could clearly monitor things, and have more leverage on the belt itself (if it were me).

    I have no doubt someone will probably come in here and say, "Awww, hell yeah, you can do that!" but I - and I'm sure others - know how easily you can turn your engine into a boat anchor messing around with the timing belt, I dunno if they'd want to say it, even if they felt that way.
     
  16. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:10 AM
    #16
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    Do you think it would be better to have the drive belt on or off? In videos of timing belt replacements, the belt is of course off. Maybe having the drive belt on would cause the cam shafts to definitely jump?
     
  17. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:12 AM
    #17
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    jump as in sift position spin freely
     
  18. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:16 AM
    #18
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    I know it bro its so simple but so risky, maybe ill be the first one to try it successfully! Like you said it i remove the covers, mark the cam shafts, remove tension, and absolutely nothing moves a millimeter. I might be in business here.
     
  19. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:18 AM
    #19
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I'm actually going to be surprised if you can just unbolt the tensioner and bolt in a new one.

    @empty_lord

    @Tundra2
     
  20. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:23 AM
    #20
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    It only takes like 20 seconds to pull the belt off if you're holding a beer, so no point to having it in the way if you were gong to try it. Hardest part is always trying to string it back up again.

    I'd be curious to hear those guys ^^ inputs though.
     
  21. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:55 AM
    #21
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    Timing belt tensioner? If you’re careful there’s no reason it’ll jump teeth swapping a tensioner. Just need to go slow and be at TDC
     
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  22. Dec 6, 2022 at 10:55 AM
    #22
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    As long as the timing covers are off the truck to verify absolutely zero movement, I'd have no quarrel about simply replacing the timing belt tensioner.

    Realistically, I do not see the belt being loose enough to jump a tooth on the crank, and on the cams with out a tensioner on it for a few minutes.

    Personally, I would wait for @empty_lord's input.

    Do what you want to your truck at your own risk. It's your decision. Your truck. I accept no responsibility for you bricking your engine.
     
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  23. Dec 6, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #23
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    Might as well add pulling the passenger side cover is a good idea. If anything does move it’ll be at the crank most likely. Having that cover off and rotating the crank over 2 times to make sure the marks still line up after replacement is ideal
     
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  24. Dec 6, 2022 at 11:35 AM
    #24
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    I would have to remove the crank pully at that point. I doubt it would move if the camshafts didn't, but its risky...
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2022
  25. Dec 6, 2022 at 11:48 AM
    #25
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    Taking the crank off isn't that big of a deal with a big ole impact. I'm not sure you'd have enough room for it without taking out the radiator...
     
  26. Dec 6, 2022 at 11:54 AM
    #26
    beastadam97

    beastadam97 [OP] New Member

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    I did the drive belt tensioner without taking out the radiator or the fan, forearms were bruised to hell but its possible lol. Then if i can take off the crank and see the teeth were in business
     
  27. Dec 6, 2022 at 4:21 PM
    #27
    lsaami

    lsaami Let ‘er buck

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    IDK, but a squeak makes me think pulley, not tensioner. could be the timing idler or tensioner pulley.

    @OP, did you verify everything in the serpentine system was in good shape? failing AC compressor, alt, PS pump would cause similar symptoms. seems like a drive belt issue is much more likely, and much easier to solve.
     
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  28. Dec 6, 2022 at 4:35 PM
    #28
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    @lsaami welcome back man. Where you been?
     
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  29. Dec 6, 2022 at 4:37 PM
    #29
    lsaami

    lsaami Let ‘er buck

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    thanks! Life has been crazy. I moved halfway across the state, took a new job in a new industry, and a remodeling a house with my wife. Just had to step away for a bit to get some crap done.

    good to be back though!
     
  30. Dec 6, 2022 at 4:40 PM
    #30
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    And he said yes I think it can be easily done...

    [​IMG]
     
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    #30

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