The serpentine belt on my truck was missing chunks so I replaced it tonight. I checked the tensioner for front to back movement and it seemed pretty tight but once I got the new belt back on I could actually touch the belt back against the tensioner by pushing on the belt. I don't know for sure but I don't believe I should be able to move the tensioner that easily. Do you guys think the tensioner is shot? If you guys think it is, where can I get one for a decent price?

 

Pretty common for the pivot point to wear out.
Napa has the tensioner for a decent price.

 

Would there be any advantage to getting an actual Cummins tensioner over the NAPA one?

 

I put in a napa one over 60K ago. they do wear out. when you replace it, you'll get that "chirp" when you shut it off like when it was new.

 

I put an aftermarket one on mine about 75,000 miles ago no problems yet.The gatorback belt eliminated all my squeaks and chirps.

 

Is it normal to hear a "chirp" when you shut the engine down? I don't
remember hearing it until I after I replaced my last belt because it wouldn't
stop squeeling. I was starting to think my tensioner was going bad.

 

Totally normal. Due to the high compression of the CTD when you shut down the engine stops turning almost instantly, the inertia of the spinning fan, A/C compressor, alternator and water pump keep spinning a moment longer than the engine causing the belt to slip and chirp. If you don't like it use a Gatorback belt, they don't chirp.

 

well,

the "chirp" is caused by the crankshaft stopping almost instatly due to high compression while the water pump, alternator, and A/C compressor still want to stay in motion.

So,

The "chirp" will go away from less tension on belt and/or less compession.

 

guess i can't type as fast as infidel...

 

The "chirp" doesn't bother me at all. Just thought the sound was from
a weak tensioner. Thanks for the info.