According to my mechanic, the belt tensioner that runs all, if not a lot of important things on my 95 Maxima is broken. According to the mechanic, this is belt tensioner is part of a big piece of the side of the engine. Thus the part is over $600, and plus the labor, it's a $1540 job to fix it.

Is my mechanic shooting straight with me?

Thanks in advance on any advice about this.

Without my Maxima in Durham, NC, Roger

 

Belt tensioner or timing chain tensioner?

Belt tensioner or idler pully is cheap, like 150 take 30 min. to install.

Timing chain tensioner is another story. Cheap part, lots of labor to replace it.

I'd take your car someplace else, your getting hosed really bad either way.

 

There are two belt tensioners on the max. One tensions the belt that runs the power steering, the other tensions the alternator/ac.

The alternator tensioner is easy to access and easy to replace. However, if it's the power steering pump tensioner you are screwed. that thing took me and hacim105 hours to put back on once it fell off during an udp install, not to mention its in the damnest place.

I'd say the part is overpriced, but the labor is serious, took me and hacim 2 hours to get that thing back on much less loosening and tightening it.

 

I talked further with the mechanic today, and learned that what is broken, is the "ear" of the cast aluminum cover of the engine that the belt tensioner would be attached to. Thus, they are saying unless I know someplace that can fabricate something, then the whole big piece that the belt tensioner attaches to, needs to be replaced, since it's the part that is broken.

Thoughts? Thanks. Roger

 

Ok ok, if it's the piece that the power steering tensioner attaches too i agree with the mechanic, it's a large metal piece that would have to be removed by pulling the motor. I dont know what else to tlel you, it's going to cost a bunch of money.