I'm ordering a new timing belt tensioner since mine has some oil leakage. Getting it from extremepsi.com (next day for us NJ peeps) which has OEM and Gates brand, Gates is $78 and OEM is $140.
Obviously OEM is preferred and recommended by about everyone but I know in some situations the oem is a cheaper brand part in the oem box and just a doubled price. Anyone have issues with the Gates tensioner? Is the oem really worth double the price? I don't want to do this twice but I'm starting to get on a budget since I might find more stuff wrong and dont want to waste money I can use on something else.

So OEM for that piece of mind and Double the price or Gates brand?

 

I have always used OEM, but damn, I don't remember them being that expensive. Probably because I always buy all the required parts as a kit/combo package. The safe choice is OEM, but Gates is known as a quality brand. Hopefully you can get some experienced users in here.

 

i paid $95NZD (about 60-70USD) for a brand new evo9 cambelt from mitsibushi...
maybe you have the wrong numbers.

PM ChrisCarey and ask him, they do good prices on OEM kit

And yes, i would and did choose OEM

 

Well, OEM failed for you. And, it has always been the recommendation that you replace the tensioner at belt time. So, this is a weak part. I'd be tempted to try the Gates.

 

I was looking into this as well. If the gates works, It a good price.

 

Depends on what the car is used for oem if daily driven and gates if used for racing as gates even says with their packaging not to be intended for long term use as the oem belt is. Later, Curt

 

I'm a little confused here. Are you saying the Gates belt is not intended for long term use or the Gates tensioner is not intended for long term use? The OP asked about a Gates tensioner.

 

The belt is not intended for long term use my bad i did not see he was asking about the tensioner my bad on reading wrong. sorry about the misunderstanding. later, Curt

 

Mine does show leakage but never said mine was OEM. I honestly don't know what brand it is, it's a slowboy racing shortblock and engine was installed by Buschur. Either way I decided to go OEM, I found out I don't need to buy an oil pump so I can spare to get the oem tensioner and will give me better peace of mind. and I got an OEM belt too, have heard not good things with the blue belts

 

who makes OEM?

 

+2

anyone?

 

Are you serious about who makes OEM? Have you ever purchased car parts? Original Equipment Manufacturer.

 

Aisin makes Toyota water pumps. Bando makes Honda and Toyota drive belts. Gates also makes Honda timing belts. Brembo makes oem brake rotors. Akebono, Nissin, ATE all make "OEM" brake pads for Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, and so on.

The Evo belt is Mitsuboshi. Not sure about the tensioner.

 

pick up the oem tensioner... i went with that one when i replaced it... cant go wrong with oem!

 

I'm confused, either you think "Original Equipment Manufacturer" is a brand name like Gates, or that a company like Mitsubishi makes ALL the parts that have their name on them....either or, they're both wrong. You really think Mitsu makes EVERY part on our car?

I ended up going with the "OEM" tensioner, whoever makes it