I bought a timing belt tensioner online from autopartsonlinecanada and the guide was plastic! :shock: I guess I am asking what does everyone else think of this? was the oem one plastic or metal, I forget since it has been along time since I did my timing belt. I was thinking to myself that the belt only rides on the plastic guide and the bearing takes all the force but it just doesn't seem right to me to have a plastic part near something as important as my timing belt.
The automatic tensioners all have plastic wheels. Never seen one give much trouble. The only problems I have ever seen have been due to improper installation. Sometimes the tab bends or breaks off due to being not properly engaged in the hole in the rear belt cover or from really excessive tension being applied.