Accessory Belt Tension Pulley

It's very difficult to differentiate two aftermarket parts that claim to be genuine OE replacements. This was the trouble we faced when we were tasked to compare the accessory belt tension pulley from AC Delco and Dayco. They are recognized suppliers of high-quality components that rarely let anybody down. We didn't expect anything different when we tried their pulleys on our '93 Saturn SC1. Here are the things we discovered:

Price

Dayco and AC Delco pulleys have very similar costs. A price tag of around $23 was put on the former while $24 was given for the later. This small difference didn't really weigh much at all for us as buyers.

WINNER: Dayco and AC Delco

Compatibility

The test of any part that claims to be an OE replacement rests on how well it fits and conforms to the rest of the car's parts. The pulleys from Dayco and AC Delco perfectly slotted in place to the belt assembly of our SC1. Installing these wasn't really rocket science. Both easily found their working area and accommodated the serpentine belt without any trouble.

WINNER: Dayco and AC Delco

Performance

As far as performance was concerned, both pulleys from each brand had its own high points. We weren't able to find any substantial differences between the two. Dayco was spinning smoothly, was really quiet, and was light and easy on the belt. AC Delco's pulley was very reliable even under extreme conditions, had no squealing whatsoever, and was very dirt resistant.

WINNER: Dayco and AC Delco

Durability

AC Delco's steel pulley was very durable and performed very well for a long time. We were surprised by this fact considering the part really felt like tough plastic. Dayco's was made of various polymers and was able to take its own share of stress as well. Based on our experience, both really did survive the rigorous tests we put on our SC1.

WINNER: Dayco and AC Delco

The verdict

Was it really possible to separate the accessory belt tension pulley from Dayco and AC Delco? Sadly, our little experiment didn't result to anything significant. Both brands really performed well as an OE replacement for our Saturn. At the end of the day, we think that it really doesn't matter which one you choose.

Many people think that working on a car's belt system is a complicated and daunting task. However, the challenge only revolves around knowing which pulley drives a certain device. Being able to identify the role of each part is already half the battle. With the accessory belt tension pulley, locating and replacing this is even simpler because there aren't any major devices connected to it. This guide shows how doable this job is. Using simple tools and following four easy steps, one can change the tension pulley in no time.

Required skill level: Novice

Needed tools and materials

Socket and wrench set

Screwdriver set

Car manual

Lead pipe

Replacement accessory belt tension pulley

Replacement serpentine belt (if necessary)

Preparing the vehicle

Kill the engine and engage the parking brake. Pop the hood and give the motor enough time to cool to prevent accidental burns. After a few minutes, disconnect the batteries and remove any other accessories that get in the way of the engine. Read the car manual to get an idea of the layout of the car's belt assembly.

Disassembling the belt drive

Locate the belt tensioner. Drive the proper bolt head on it to give the belt assembly some slack. Use a lead pipe as an extension to have more leverage. Once everything is loosened, pull the serpentine belt off and keep it in a safe place. Replace this belt later if necessary. Next, locate the tension pulley and remove it. Don't misplace any bolts and other small hardware. These will still be used for reinstallation.

Installing the pulley and belt

Grab the new belt tension pulley and slot it in the same location of the old one. Tighten it on the assembly before moving on. After the pulley, install the new or reused serpentine belt. Refer to the car's manual for the proper layout. Take note of the right routing and direction. Work on the belt tensioner to tighten the assembly.

Returning everything

Return any devices removed prior to accessing the belt assembly. Reconnect the batteries. Start the car and test if all belt-driven devices are working properly.