If I replace my serpentine belt should I replace the tensioner as well. I have 152,000 miles and every thing is origanal.

 

Only if it is bad......Everything else has 152k on it too, right? Are you gonna replace everything?

 

Yes everthing except the sparkplugs and coils are original. I started hearing a squeak comming from the belt if I gas hard and then let off real quick. So I figured It was time to replace the belt. Any other suggestions on what should be replaced? Otherwise the truck runs great!

 

If the belt looked to be in good shape, without cracks or other obvious wear, but the belt still squeaked, I think I would change the tensioner. I don't like doing things twice just to try and save a buck.

 

If your belt is tight, I wouldn't worry too much about a little chirp under load.





Might want to think about PCV valve, fuel filter and O2 sensors, if they're originals also.

 

i would do the tensioner also if doing a belt and had that many miles

I would also store the old ones for emergency spares

 

If the tensioner is funcioning flawless,why change it.I had to replace mine recently.Not sure if they are the same on yours,but Ford is very proud of them on the 6.0

 

Is it functioning flawlessly? The belt is squeaking.

 

It's an inexpensive part, I'd just replace it. If it's making noise, you may end up with one that looked like mine did and possibly leave you on the side of the road. If the old belt is still somewhat intact, it may be worth keeping as an emergency replacement.

Missing bearings...

 

I would suggest taking the belt off and checking all the parts. How do you know the noise come from the tensioner and not from the alternator for example?
Than old belts make very lousy spare. It would suck to put it on 2 years from now only to see it failing a mile down the road. If the old belt still has no crack, I would put it back and carry new one (with necessary tools) in the truck.

 

I would replace it, because when i goes, the belt will likely be destroyed and you will lose all of your power accessories immediately. The one on my '93 went in a parking garage and I almost ran into a wall when the power steering went out. That litte plastic thing takes alot of stress! Keep the old belt under your seat for emergency use too!

 

With 152k on the clock I'd bet money the tensioner and idler bearings are in bad shape. I pull my tensioner and idler pulleys off periodically, pull one of the seals and regrease it. Helps them last longer. The bearings can also be pressed out and replaced as they are standard size stock bearings.

Here are two pics that show the seal removal and seal removed. The bearing in the pic was smooth the grease was junk, chunky and dry.



Tensioner and Idler greased and ready to be re-installed.

 

Not necessarily the entire tensioner assembly, but I do replace idler pulleys by 200K miles. I'm doing mine next week!
I do inspect the tensioner for wear or slop. These seem to be just springs, no pneumatic or hydraulic dampers in it - so if spring is taut and there is no slop, I leave it.

Gates and Goodyear both make them, about $20-$25 from online retailers.
And as others mentioned, can just replace the bearings for even less.

My plan: Put the non-OE and very affordable Gates pulleys on but keep the old stock pulleys. If the Gates turn out to be sub-standard and start squeaking, then I will go to local bearing store and get new "top shelf" bearings to press into the original Ford pulleys.