UPDATE: Mechanical Tensioner Pulley Dayco 89133 vs Gates 38018

[cn90]

This is to give people an UPDATE on this Mechanical Tensioner Pulley issue...

There have been a few threads on mechanical pulleys bought at Autozone (under Duralast PN 23133) and Advance Auto (under Dayco 89133), were made by INA back in 2011, 2012 or so. This is no longer the case, the PNs mentioned above have the box saying "Made in Germany" but the bearing is "C&U", a Chinese company. See the thread below.

DAYCO 81933 mechanical tesioner pulley (No longer made by Ina?) - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums


Part stores keep changing their supply over time, so you need to physically inspect the pulley before buying it! Anyway, this is the latest...

I was at Autozone yesterday looking at PN 23133 and the box says "Made in Germany" but the bearing is "C&U", and they have the nerve to sell it for $30! Needless to say, I walked away...

Went to NAPA and looked at Gates 38018 $18 with L.T. warranty.
I have not been to OReilly parts store, but their website lists the same Gates 38018 for $16 with only 1-yr warranty.

So I bought the NAPA Gates 38018. I have not installed it yet but looking at it, it is high-quality stuff. The bearing is the standard 6203LU bearing, which in this particular pulley, made by NTN, a Japanese company that has factory in Canada. The construction is solid, the bearing is nice and tight, no play.

I think you can trust this Gates 38018 pulley!


Anyway, photos of the Duralast/Dayco "C&U" bearings vs Gates 38018 for your eyes only...