Alternate Timing Belt Tensioner

user113 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:12 pm

So, when Jim (geordi) did my TB last week, he informed me that my engine had a timing belt tensioner arrangement he had never seen before. Instead of the back cover having a threaded hole for a bolt to hold the tensioner pulley on like I've seen in most other photos, the parts manual and the service manual, mine has a slot where a bolt slips in from behind the rear cover, and a copper nut that holds the TB tensioner in place. The following photos (courtesy of member taroo) show the setup:

Tensioner installed:

Front views of cover:

Rear view of cover:

Cover part number:

That date code reads January of 2007, right? That might just explain why my TB looked so good after all, it might not be the one from July of 2005 when the truck was built!

So how can I tell if the whole engine's been replaced or if just the cover?

BTW, has anybody else seen this variant?

jeepdan · **Posted:** Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:48 pm

Looks like someone might have stripped out the aluminum threads and made an emergency fix.
Should be fine.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:59 am

I seem to recall another post about a similar bolt thru from the back but don't recall if it was for the tensioner.

Does not to me appear to be an emergency fix as the bolt head recess was machined or cast into the cover.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:23 am

Yep, looks like a 2007 date code. Are you the original owner? If not, I suspect the engine has been replaced at some point. Looks like a decent design. I have often wondered if one could modify to a design such as this.

user113 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:29 pm

MRausch82 wrote:

Yep, looks like a 2007 date code. Are you the original owner? If not, I suspect the engine has been replaced at some point. Looks like a decent design. I have often wondered if one could modify to a design such as this.

I am not the original owner; I bought it in June of 2007 with 20,645 miles on it, it has a manufacture date on the sticker of June, 2005. It was originally from Pennsylvania, as a "lease."

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:57 pm

user113 wrote:

MRausch82 wrote:

Yep, looks like a 2007 date code. Are you the original owner? If not, I suspect the engine has been replaced at some point. Looks like a decent design. I have often wondered if one could modify to a design such as this.

I am not the original owner; I bought it in June of 2007 with 20,645 miles on it, it has a manufacture date on the sticker of June, 2005. It was originally from Pennsylvania, as a "lease."

My guess is that it got a motor under warranty. I kind of doubt just the back plate was replaced. You may be able to look up its history through Jeep.com, that is, if it was done under warranty, which I am guessing it was given the fact it would have been well within warranty still...

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 4:30 pm

You can also request a copy of the "VIP" report printout from a helpful dealer (if any of those exist) and since you are the owner, they shouldn't actually gripe too much about handing that over. If they don't want to, a conveniently misplaced $20 might help, or offer that they can sharpie-out the prior owner's name if it happens to be listed. You are entitled to know everything that was ever done to your car.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:00 am

I am in the middle of my timing belt / water pump replacement. Should have her back together tomorrow. My rear cover is identical to yours. I know my timing belt is original and no one has been in there. The date code on my engine block says 24/01/2006. FYI, this must be an alternate or updated rear cover.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:19 pm

ebbnflow wrote:

I am in the middle of my timing belt / water pump replacement. Should have her back together tomorrow. My rear cover is identical to yours. I know my timing belt is original and no one has been in there. The date code on my engine block says 24/01/2006. FYI, this must be an alternate or updated rear cover.

Seems like these were either very production engines, or someone has been in there before and had an issue, either an engine replacement or something. My '06 was built late in '06 I think (it is not here at the moment for me to look...), and it has the bolt style. The later design seems to be a better design IMHO.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:03 pm

Mine is a late 06 as well and I know my rear cover is the original. I agree this design seems much better than a bolt threaded into the aluminum rear cover.

Got it all put back together with new motor mounts and new omix Ada boost hoses. Both my old mounts rattled when removed. New mounts make idle so much smoother. Omix Ada boost hoses are a tight fit, but I feel they are a good quality replacement.

Alternate Timing Belt Tensioner

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