Accessories belt idler - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

v6camrydriver · 07-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Good morning all, I recently had the air con serviced on my 1994 3VZ-FE Camry and have noticed that the idler pulley for the Alternator/A/C compressor belt has fallen off (I think the tech didn't tighten the bolt back up properly). I'm just wondering if it needs to be re-installed as the belt is tight enough and I haven't noticed any side effects from it?

Gibson99 · 08-01-2009, 10:29 AM

1994 should have a 1mzfe, and it doesn't have an idler pulley. the 3vzfe (92-93) does indeed have an idler, and if it was missing, your belt would probably fall off. double-check which engine you have. i bet you have a 1mz, and as such there IS no idler, which is why your belt looks and works fine.

***JohnGD*** · 08-01-2009, 12:53 PM

So what exactly is missing? Can v6camrydriver post a picture?

v6camrydriver · 08-06-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson99

1994 should have a 1mzfe, and it doesn't have an idler pulley. the 3vzfe (92-93) does indeed have an idler, and if it was missing, your belt would probably fall off. double-check which engine you have. i bet you have a 1mz, and as such there IS no idler, which is why your belt looks and works fine.

No, it's definately a 3VZ-FE, says so on the timing belt cover. I think the Australian/New Zealand models must of got the 1MZ-FE later on. Also the fact that I had seen the pulley installed before the fix and found it on the engine bay floor afterwards confirms it was there. Anyway a couple of weeks of normal driving (including a bit thru deep puddles) the belt is working fine with no more than usual slippage.

Gibson99 · 08-07-2009, 09:25 AM

ahh, didn't notice your location. very likely you guys didn't get the 1mz till 97 since you don't have the same requirements for OBD-ii like we do here in the states. still surprising that your alternator still functions with the tensioner off. maybe your alternator was adjusted out enough to still keep some tension on the belt... but i don't remember whether the 3vz alternator was adjustable or not... it is on the 1mz - that's what sets the tension.

v6camrydriver · 08-08-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibson99

ahh, didn't notice your location. very likely you guys didn't get the 1mz till 97 since you don't have the same requirements for OBD-ii like we do here in the states. still surprising that your alternator still functions with the tensioner off. maybe your alternator was adjusted out enough to still keep some tension on the belt... but i don't remember whether the 3vz alternator was adjustable or not... it is on the 1mz - that's what sets the tension.

LOL...yeah we're a bit backwards down here.
The alternator does indeed set the tension. The tech had installed the idler but not tight enough and it feel off (I know because there was squeling coming from the belt when I got it back that stopped after the idler fell off). however the tension seems to be fine and like I side I haven't had any issues with the drive belt.