I am replacing everything associated with the timing belt including the tensioner. My new tensioner does not have the white washer on top like the old one. Do I need this? Could I reuse the old one or am I better off not using a washer?

 

l learnt that it does not really matter without the spacer on the tensioner.if the tensioner is new you are good to go. l learnt that the spacer provides an additional support to the tensioner when it goes bad. it help provide extra miles of tension if your tensioner is bad.

 

Install the old one. It helps keep the tensioner pin aligned with the tensioner pulley stud/dimple. It may do other things that I am not aware of but people usually pay a price when they drop something that the engineers designed the car to have. And the timing belt path is not a forgiving place to pay any price.

 

true. install the old one.l misread his thread. thought he misplaced the old one.