Going to buy a new Hydraulic timing belt tensioner from Rock Auto in the US. Was looking at a Dayco unit and just noticed a DORMAN one (http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1268424)for half the price of the DAYCO. Is DORMAN good quality or should I steer clear?

Going to buy a new Hydraulic timing belt tensioner from Rock Auto in the US. Was looking at a Dayco unit and just noticed a DORMAN one (http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1268424)for half the price of the DAYCO. Is DORMAN good quality or should I steer clear?

I would buy a genuine OEM one. New from Mitsu is around $160 and I wouldn't be cheaping out on a very important component ;)

;1330772']I would buy a genuine OEM one. New from Mitsu is around $160 and I wouldn't be cheaping out on a very important component ;)
New from Mitsi is actually more like $210 @ local stealership. I can get DAYCO unit for around $120 from Rock Auto. I found the DORMAN unit for similar price with other US retailers but noticed that Rock Auto had them for a lot less.

New from Mitsi is actually more like $210 @ local stealership. I can get DAYCO unit for around $120 from Rock Auto. I found the DORMAN unit for similar price with other US retailers but noticed that Rock Auto had them for a lot less.

Strange with the price difference.
Regardless of price though, it's one of these things which I would not cheap out on. Actually nothing in your whole timing area should be cheaped out on.
Just coming from experience where I had a brand new aftermarket tensioner crap itself after 2 hand rotations of the motor - that was enough for me to spend the extra and get a new OEM one.

All up to you of course, I know it's alot of money but do it once do it right.

I was there when Pauls died when being fitted, correct me if I am wrong Paul but didn't you try a couple new ones :)

The only way to go is genuine, if the tensioner craps itself the cost for 24 new valves will be far more than the few $$ you saved initially

They do list for $210 but I can do one genuine for $180 plus postage so still cheaper than you are getting it. Mits have had a price rise about 2 months ago, they do this yearly.

I have had a Dorman Camshaft Synchroniser in my AU XR8 for nearly two years without a problem, but if it did fail it would be only inconvenient and not damage the engine. It was $83Aus delivered against a genuine Ford one for $750.
I just noticed that you can get a DAYCO water pump belt kit, (WP287K1A) from Rock Auto at the moment for $173 plus freight to wherever you live in Aus. The kit has a water pump, belt, tensioners and the hydraulic tensioner and all seals.
When I went to Mitsubishi Spare Parts for a Timming Belt Kit for my daughters TH Magna some years ago it was a Dayco Kit that they sold me for top dollar.

Thanks for the replies. I too thought the DAYCO was same as OEM. Will probably just spend the extra & get one of those.

I've bought the Dayco kit from RockAuto, and its running fine after about 10,xxxk's

Was quoted $260 from Campbelltown Mitsubishi Spare Parts, epic ripoff

If these numbers match OEM here, ADJUSTER,TIMING BELT TENSIONER MD341830, 1145A070 supercedes. They list at about $117 USD genuine.

USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box* 8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8" (up to 4 pounds) $13.45.

USPS Priority Mail Regular Flat Rate Box (FRB-2) (up to 20 pounds) $43.45 13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8"

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=214093&chapter=&Sectionids=10,0&groupid=10007&subgroupid=61856&componentid=0&make=24&model=Diamante&year=2002&graphicID=F711040&callout=22&catalogid=1&displayCatalogid=0

Might just take a while getting here. I've ordered some stuff for another vehicle and some prices have been about 3-5% higher than shown. It appears US dealers give their customers greater access to parts on their websites. I would not assume everything is cheaper though but I've been very fortunate so far.

Tensioner pulley, diamante - 3.5l sohc - 3.5L SOHC $34.85 MD140071
Idler pulley, diamante - 3.5l sohc - 3.5L SOHC $32.59 MD319022
Timing belt - 3.5L SOHC 97-04 $107.32 MD322641

All in USD. I have not confirmed any of these numbers locally. Of course if any of these things failed you probably would not have any recourse.

rockauto.com delivers in a week, (to Adelaide) at the lowest US postal rate. Bought three cam belts (Dayco, Goodyear Gatorback) and a V6 gasket set as 4 separate items from them, all arrived within the week. Great service, excellent prices. Recommended.

I would stick with Dayco for the hydraulic tensioner though.

From above post:

Tensioner pulley, diamante - 3.5l sohc - 3.5L SOHC $34.85 MD140071
Idler pulley, diamante - 3.5l sohc - 3.5L SOHC $32.59 MD319022
Timing belt - 3.5L SOHC 97-04 $107.32 MD322641

That's a total of about $175. Rockauto sells the same in a kit for $53.

Handy to know.

It'll be 2 weeks friday, my stuff left the US via Chicago 23 Oct 10, USPS Priority. Hope it does'nt get lost.
There gear is alright?
The only way I can be 100% sure of the right part for my Galant is cross referencing OEM numbers.

you should just buy this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-3-5L-Mitsubishi-Montero-Sport-V6-6G74-Engine-Kit-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45eb1cbe15QQitemZ30029 7272853QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

Sorry guys but I have seen far too many aftermarket ones fail. The OEM ones are Japanese made, not by Dayco at all.

Yes belts are Dayco but the tensioners are not

At the end of the day is your choice but you also need to weigh up if the $30 you save is cheaper than teh 24 valves you "may" bend if it all goes wrong

As a member here asked recently, why are people happy to spend thousands on sound and wheels but not a few hundred to keep their cars going properly Oh well.....

you should just buy this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-3-5L-Mitsubishi-Montero-Sport-V6-6G74-Engine-Kit-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45eb1cbe15QQitemZ30029 7272853QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

Unbelievable.
That's got to be the bargain of the century! Assuming quality is ok. Probably pay more than that for the gaskets kit.

lol Had another look at the kit I got from Rockauto for the 3.5L motor. Not Dayco, its a Gates belt, made in the US of A. Kit TCK287. The idlers are Korean made Koyo. Make of that what you will. lol

Sorry guys but I have seen far too many aftermarket ones fail. The OEM ones are Japanese made, not by Dayco at all.

Yes belts are Dayco but the tensioners are not

At the end of the day is your choice but you also need to weigh up if the $30 you save is cheaper than teh 24 valves you "may" bend if it all goes wrong

As a member here asked recently, why are people happy to spend thousands on sound and wheels but not a few hundred to keep their cars going properly Oh well.....



Yep, I can vouch for the damage caused by failure. Just fixed a 6a12 24V. About a grand including gaskets. and that was me doing all the remove/install and a head guy doing the hard stuff. 19 bent valves, damaged head (welding needed) and piston top dented.

All caused by the previous owner lacking in maintenance. Belt did not fail, but the idler pulley separated from seizure and every other bearing was stuffed too(water pump, tensioner pulley). sweet engine now though.

lol Had another look at the kit I got from Rockauto for the 3.5L motor. Not Dayco, its a Gates belt, made in the US of A. Kit TCK287. The idlers are Korean made Koyo. Make of that what you will. lol

Strange, my idlers from rockauto were made in japan.

They are an international company, I believe thtat while they are Japanese owned, many of their products are made in Korea as well as other places around teh world. You will always se Koyo Japan on the products as this is the company name however I have seen on many parts the bearings have been actually made in Korea.

This is nothign to worry about as companies such as Koyo have a fantastic rep anyway