I have a 97 dakota with about 80000 miles. About 1000 miles ago (although that's more than a year because my truck sits while I fly around) I was told (during a routine oil change) by my dodge dealer that I need a serp. belt. OK, do it...i said, without looking at it. Now, during another oil change, the dealer (service rep...a different guy and different techs) says "you need a serp. belt and tensioner". WHAT? I you just sold me a S-belt 1000 miles ago. He looks up my records and says..OK, "actually you just need a tensioner, but the belt and tensioner are usually done as one job, but you can just get the tensioner". I said I'm suspicious: didn't i need a tensioner 1000 miles (one year) ago (in which case I would hardly have to pay extra for it)? He didn't know. Did anyone check the tensioner back then? He didn't know. So I ask you all: What is the most likely scenario here. and how likely is it that I would need a tensioner only 1000 after getting a new Serp. belt? I think he quoted a price around $150. I don't necessarily trust the service dept. because there is alot of turnover...new reps, etc. Everytime I go in for an oil change lately, they seem to always find something I need...recently it was "throttle body cleaning" and "injector flush" and "brake fluid flush". Anyway, how important is this tensioner...does it just reduce the life of the S-belt if its 'bad'?
- posted
18 years ago