What is everyone's thoughts on the aftermarket tensioners? Motorcraft is about $130 and I found a Dayco for $76. Would the Dayco or Duralast be as good as the Motorcraft?
And idler pulleys. Motorcraft or aftermarket. Any differences? Worth the extra cash to get Motorcraft?
Thanks in advance,

Part Numbers for those interested, 2004 Excursion EB 6.0L diesel 2wd. Single Alt.
Gates Belt Micro-V AT K081253
Tensioner Dayco 89313 (the lock broke so I put the original on back on with new pulleys and returned the Dayco)
76mm smooth idler pulley 231016 for the tensioner
76mm grooved pulley 89053 for the tensioner
Scrapped the Gates for a Gatorback P/N 4081252 or 8PK3180 (same belt has both numbers)
Factory Ford P/N's
Tensioner 3C2E-6B209-AB
Idler 3C3E-19A216-BA

 

Try one then let us know, not sure if its the same.

 

I fitted the Dayco tensioner on my 2004 F250SD about 18 months ago and it has been fine so far.

 

Thanks Paul! I just bought the Dayco tensioner and Dayco smooth idler pulley. If they had the ribbed pulley I would of bought it to.
Hope that fixes the squeaking sound I have.

 

Does the dayco tensioner have the little lock assembly as well??

 

I bought the Dayco a couple months ago at Advanced Auto because two Ford dealers in my area didn't have one in stock. It said made in USA and came with the little kick stand already pre-locked. So far, so good.

 

kewl, thanks......and made in the USA...that much better.

 

when you have the belt off, take a good luck at the waterpump pulley. My never ending belt squeek was due to the waterpump pulley. Half the paint/coating was worn off and belt would not track straight. Took the pulley off, had it blasted and powdercoated and been great since. (I like you replaced the tensioner pulley and a couple smooth idlers and belt, it would stop the squeek for a month or two, then come back) Just some food for thought.

 

I have nothing to add, I'm just following Scott around this evening.

 

HAHA,. I saw that :-)

 

Scott,
Yea I already "ruffed up" my water pump pulley with no change in the noise. (the paint was all worn off where the belt road) I read in another thread where someone scuffed up the pulley to get the squeak to go away. So now I am trying the new tensioner and idler pulleys. If that doesn't work I am going back to the water pump pulley. But thanks for the info!
npccpartsman, Yes the Dayco tensioner I just bought from Pepboys has the lock.

Thanks for all the info guys! I will post up the results when I get the chance to change the parts.

 

Dayco's been around for year's, I think they come stock on GM product's can't be a bad thing.

 

I believe Dayco is a long time trusted brand. However being installed as OE in GM products isn't much testament to quility. GM has installed their share of duds in their products. The LF9 & LF7 diesels are at the top of the list for automotive disasters.
Sorry,I just don't always subscribe to the"Bow Tie=GOOD"school.

 

I never said I was a BOW TIE lover either, I said Dayco is a good brand & they all make a dud every once in awhile.

 

If AutoZone handles Dayco, they use too, A.Z. usually has a lifetime warranty. Pep Boys quit doing that on a lot of items and they started giving receipts that faded out in 3 months. A.Z. puts you in their computer under your phone no. No receipt needed if you lose it.