3VZ-FE timing belt tensioner

[lacruiser]

Hi Folks.

Car is a 1993 XLE V6 camry. 50,000 miles (original and actual miles) with the original belt and all associated parts.

I had the timing belt break on my car. when I opened things up, I discovered that the upper bearing had actually completely failed, the plastic innards and ball bearings had melted together in a mass and stuck to the inside of the plastic shroud. Also, the water pump had seized, and the lower (tensioner) bearing was also on the way to being fully seized.

So, how is it possible that all 3 items simultaneously were failing?

I removed and examined the belt tensioner, that long cylinder component that apparently has fluid and a spring inside.

The manual says the pin is supposed to extend beyond the housing approx .4". I measured mine and it is sticking about a half-inch, maybe even a little over a half-inch out. the other test, trying to push the pin back in: it's impossible to move that pin without compressing it in a vice, so for that test, the unit passes.

Is this a faulty unit? I'm thinking it may be pushing out too much, and this could be causing higher than normal belt tension (overtightening), leading to stress on all the components. OR, maybe not? Maybe the spring tension inside the tensioner is not too much for the belt? I don't know.

SO, you techs who are familiar with this tensioner, please let me know. Should I replace it, or is this not a big deal?

thanks