Is the dealer trying to dupe me ?

[bathukoli]

Thanks a lot everyone. I will change the spark plugs (have'nt done it so far) and let you know. Thanks again.

[TomsGT4]

'serpentine belt - tensioner seal' eh?
Sometimes translation gets lost between the tech & the service rep.
Especially when the rep doesn't know how to rotate their own tires.

Just ask the them to show you what seal it is in their repair manual, take you to the car & point to that location in the engine bay.

+1 for whom-ever mentioned removing the belt & turning the pulley by hand.
If it doesn't wobble and feels like it's spinning smoothly, then it's probably ok.

[toyomoho]

Rockauto lists complete automatic belt tensioner units starting at around $50. If this is the problem DIY and save some money.

[retiredat44]

Originally Posted by TomsGT4

'serpentine belt - tensioner seal' eh?
Sometimes translation gets lost between the tech & the service rep.
Especially when the rep doesn't know how to rotate their own tires.

Just ask the them to show you what seal it is in their repair manual, take you to the car & point to that location in the engine bay.

+1 for whom-ever mentioned removing the belt & turning the pulley by hand.
If it doesn't wobble and feels like it's spinning smoothly, then it's probably ok.

I disagree with the bearing tensioner.. it goes by mielage, why risk a nightmare breakdown, of the tensioner going bad shorlty after you replace the belt. as, the tensioner is the main reason why the belt's break. better to spend the $60 now, then end up with a major breakdown because somone is too cheap to replace it now.

[TomsGT4]

$60? I want your prices...
I've paid $50 for one from a scrap yard here in Canada. Although it was for my Celica.
I think I recall my reaction when I found out what the dealer wanted for one.

I'm going to stick with "if it ain't broke... don't fix it".

[TomsGT4]

...although I do agree with fixing some things preventatively. Like doing left & right brake components at the same time.

[retiredat44]

Originally Posted by TomsGT4

$60? I want your prices...
I've paid $50 for one from a scrap yard here in Canada. Although it was for my Celica.
I think I recall my reaction when I found out what the dealer wanted for one.

I'm going to stick with "if it ain't broke... don't fix it".

I bet that these stores ship to whereever you are, i fyou can't get thsoe prices where you are. But there is a good reason why they sell the bearing and belt together in a kit.

[rdbrooke]

Your plugs are Iridium and don't need to be changed until at least 100k.

Your Serp and tensioner probably need replaced.

[Gsolo]

wow....no one really knows what they are talking about....

At 60K miles yes the serp belt most likely needs replaced and on the 1ZZ engines most like your serp tensioner makes a little noise....and the oil leak is the timing chain tensioner!! Probably mis communication, either they said something wrong or you heard serpentine belt a couple tensioners and filled in your own blanks.

I recommend this stuff all the time and customers get bitchy about it. If you really think you're being ripped off then go somewhere else...just dont complain about your car dying later down the road.

And yes 1zzfe engines are notorious for leaking at the timing chain tensioner...you just get a new tensioner (comes with seal) and replace tensioner easy job cause its on the outside rear of left side of head near drive belt.

[rwstar03]

I have a 99 Prizm ( same as Corrolla) and just replaced the serpentine belt tensioner because it had a rattling noise at take off and the belt would squeal occasionally. After reading several posts I ordered one off ebay for $69 delivered. That solved my problem. The tensioner has a shock absorber filled with oil and was leaking and let the belt jump around a lot. Now it is smooth. I have 127,000 miles on mine. It was easy to change if you have the right tools, less than an hour.