what is going on with timing tensioner roller quality ?

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 20:32

A year ago there was a noise in my timing belt path that I was not comfortable with so I had an independent volvo shop install a timing belt kit with the two rollers and a belt . I was skeptical because it seemed like the noise was generated by belt belt vibration and the shop told me that the noise was coming from the tensioner roller . To add to my skepticism the tension roller turned smoothly although it did have some resistance to it which I wasn't sure if it was normal . Since a very small amount of grease had spun out of the tensioner roller bearing I decided to replace the two rollers and the belt with a blue box kit even though the parts had only been in the car for about 25,000 miles . All the parts associated with the timing belt were either Volvo or OEM . My whole purpose was to be very confident in the timing belt s o I had the three part Volvo kit installed . The original noise was still there but only very very faintly In the shop assured me that everything was fine

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Oct 2014, 20:49

The key statement in your description is "Volvo or OEM". The so called "OEM manufacturer" tensioner roller is a cheap counterfeit, it has been for years. If you truly got Blue Box Volvo parts, from a Volvo dealer, they should be the real deal and the quality should be fine. Even Blue Box parts from a non dealer supplier should be fine but I am skeptical unless I actually see it slide across the dealership parts counter.

...Lee

Post by **Ben850** » 13 Oct 2014, 20:55

A quick answer would be yes.

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 20:59

My cursor won't move well if it ends up hovering over the submit button - extremely frustrating ! Anyways the shop said it was fine although I wasn't completely convinced . Fast forward to right now a year later and I go to do a pre road trip inspection of the timing belt area . I'm extremely disappointed to find that the new tensioner roller has spun out a whole bunch of grease . I know the roller won't last as long this way and even if it did I'm going to be concerned about the grease getting on the belt and shortening its life . I'm expecting excuses like it will be fine or it's too late for the shop to be responsible , so I figured I better arm myself with as much information as possible before I spoke to them . But even if they do offer to replace the tensioner roller and the belt I have no idea how to get or have the shop get a tensioner roller that I can have any faith in . I'm looking for information on how to get the shop to deal with the situation since it's been a year although I know that this condition didn't just happen and it shouldn't be my responsibility to have to check on the parts under the cover anyways . So if this is what can happen to a blue box tensioner roller how can I get or have the shop get a roller that won't lose its grease or worse . I know a lot has been posted about faulty tensioner rollers but the solution offered was always go with blue box . I'd like to just get another blue box roller and call it a day but now I've lost my confidence in them . It seems like Volvo is so suffering from quality issues in this area similar to the aftermarket . How can I get a good tension roller that I can be confident in without having to check on it every few months ? I don't believe I will be assured by simple answers of just get another blue box roller . I would really appreciate some thoughtful advice in this matter since my engine and car are dependent upon it .

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 21:10

The shop showed me the kit in the box before they put it in . Everything looked legitimate and the shop has quite a reputation for honesty . The box came with the plastic white bushing for the tensioner and the foil volvo sticker for the mileage . I still have the Volvo box with the old parts in it and all the label stickers on the box with all their numbers look legitimate

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 21:17

The old and the current roller both have Slovakia stamped on them .

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 21:44

my original post .

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Oct 2014, 22:15

I may have misunderstood the original post. Was the original roller that failed an actual Blue Box part? If so, that is unusual. As with any part though, even the good ones can fail.

...Lee

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 13 Oct 2014, 22:39

The original roller that the shop removed appears to be OEM from the records I have . The roller that the shop put in with the kit came out of the Volvo box that I described earlier . Is it possible that even if parts are not counterfeit that their quality (specifically the bearing seal quality) is suffering even if they are Volvo blue box parts or from a reputable manufacturer ? This is the question that really has me perturbed and I would really appreciate your expertise on . I just don't see enough of them myself to make the judgement call . At this point even though I've tried and researched I still can't be sure how easily these things are supposed to spin or how much resistance they are supposed to offer to being spun . The original one offers a little resistance to spinning but its very smooth and solid feeling . No matter how hard I try to spin it it will not continue in the least bit once my fingers leave contact with it . I wish I knew exactly how a new healthy roll it was supposed to feel but all the descriptions I've heard have not really been specific enough for me to nail it down exactly .

.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Oct 2014, 22:45

Lots of info in your post, thanks for sharing, really you have answered your question at the same time you asked it: on the roller it's blue box and, like with any part in the car, keep an eye on it.

The way you describe the original roller is exactly how they should feel. That one is probably still fine but of course you indeed want to replace them while they are good, but before they go bad ...