Checked the archives and didn't find anything so sorry if this has been asked and answered (over and over), but is it possible to change the timing belt tensioner without changing the timing belt?

If the answer is yes, then I would appreciate any pointers/suggestions for completing the process.

FWIW, when accelerating and the tach gets to ~2500 rmp, a high pitched whistle emanates from the front of the car. You can really hear it when going under bridges or along a barrier wall when the windows are down. I have assumed tensioner as the car has 140,000+ miles and the tensioner has never been changed (to my knowledge or since 90,000 miles)

TIA,

Ian in CT

Yes, it is possible but if you are into it that far and judging the

cost of a timing belt its foolish economy. Of course if the belt is brand

new you could use it over but even if it has a few k miles I would change

it. The tensioner is removed by retracting it with a large channel lock

pliers after you remove the locking nut. There is a hole in the guide pin

that runs through the tension spring. Insert a drill bit or something

like that in the hole and release. You can now remove the tensioner.

You might want to check the alternator bearings or the power steering

pump for the sound. Also it might just be the sound of a fan belt slipping

as the rpms climb. How are the condition of the bushings that support

the power steering pump and the alternator and A/C? If they are bad they

cause misalignment and noises from the belts having to go against the

edge of the pulleys.

Dave 82 242ti

I am about to do the sme thing.

It seems to me the positions of the belt and sprockets can be maintained by placing a spting clamp on the top sprocket such that the gear and belt are help together.

Then something needs to pull tension between the centers of the belt to replace the job the tensioner is doing, so that you can loosen and reove the tensioner. (a small bungie cord?)