While finishing my timing belt change. I decided to start the car with the top of the cover off, and no acc. belts or fan. Just to make sure I had everything lined up correctly.

It started, and when I reved it I could see something flying around under the hood. When I investigated I found the new tensioner was ejecting and slinging its grease everywhere.

Needing the car tomorrow I went to the stealership, and was quoted $110, after picking myself up off of the floor I told the guy to foget it. Came home and dug my old one out of the trash and installed it for now. I just remembered why I try to stay out of those places.

If I would have buttoned everything up first, I would have never known that the tensioner was slinging grease all over my new belt, and was doomed for a soon to be lock-up, and another broken belt.

The tensioner was from FCP Groton $22, it came in a bag marked worldparts with a FCP logo. It is stamped Germany and the side ring seal that covers the bearings is plastic. I'm thinking the plastic may be a bad design, the old one I took off and put back on has a metal ring sealing the bearings.

I looked at alloemvolvoparts.com / a.k.a. The Parts Bin and they list a Ruville $27.95 (metal seal) and (oem)SKF $31.95 (plastic seal) I'm leaning toward the Ruville, has anyone had experience with this product?

Thanks,


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Bruce S. near D.C.