Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Guys, how important is the cambelt tensioner and idler bearings? ie. what is the effect if they seize? Just bought a 99 Pajero with 152k on the clock, the cambelt was changed at 132k but not these bearings. Worthwhile redoing this job for engine safety?

Check if the waterpump was done with the timing belt.

The pulleys on the accessory belts aren't too bad as a snapped belt will render the alternator or power steering or a/c useless. Not too bad.

But if the tensioner pulley on the cambelt hasn't been changed it might be faulty/old and fatigue the cambelt prematurely and snap. This will cause piston to valve contact and will destroy the engine to an extent that it will require a very costly rebuild.

Odds are that the cambelt tensioner pulley was replaced but not the other pulleys. Any mechanic/workshop that does the cambelt but keep the old tensioner pulley is not fit to trade as a mechanican IMHO.

Thanks Marius, it is not on the invocie so i bought that it was done. I will rather redo it then...