My 96 Blazer has the original OE belt tensioner. As far as I can tell, it's a flat type spring with a fiber washer between the two casings.

I believe the Gates tensioner has a coil type spring. My pulley on the unit is fine.

I am wondering if I should replace it or let it be? I don't have any belt squeals.

Thanks

 

I replace them every 60,000 miles or 4 years, along with the belt and the idler pulley as a preventive maintenance measure. Never had a problem, don't want one. Dayco tensioners use the flat style spring, which is a better set up than the coil spring. Make sure you use a name brand belt: Dayco, Gates, Goodyear etc, stay away from the el cheapo's.

 

Thanks for the feedback.