1.6l timing belt tensionor pully replace??

[longboardguy]

Hey
I'm replacing my timing belt and questioning whether I should change the pulley.

It doesn't look like it's spring loaded like other ones so can't see how it can wear out and cause malfunction beside bearing failure (what's the chances)

Also autozone doesn't have it.

Any quality brand I should get?

I'm looking at all your guys's generous replies and it seems 1 brand and maybe oem. Could I get one at VW.

Also best brand timing belt?

[longboardguy]

Also any scans of bentley procedure for 1.9 and 1.6 please send my way. Thanks

[libbydiesel]

I've seen several tensioners with bad bearings.  I also know of at least one individual who had their engine self-destruct from the tensioner seizing and then burning up the timing belt from friction.  Personally I would rather spend the relative extra pittance and always replace the tensioner rather than add more risk of destroying the engine. 

I wouldn't get any essential engine parts at autozone, ever.  I would go for Gates for timing belt. 

[Ra16it]

Any idea on how many miles are on the pulley? Does it make any noises when you spin it with the belt off?

[vanbcguy]

I'm with Andrew... Cheap to replace, known to fail and take out the engine, not worth screwing around.  The cost of failure can be literally 100x the cost of the replacement tensioner - they're about $30 and a rebuilt engine is more like $3000.

[Renax]

You can check the old one, if it looks new, and has good bearings I'd use it. In a old car theres a good chance that the old belt and pulley has done 5000miles in 5years, so the belt needs changing because its old. Bearings don't have a "best before" date on them...

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