Gates 38139 Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly

OE Automatic Belt Tensioner for Ford and Mercury

The Gates DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner, part number 38139, is built for accessory drive belt systems that need consistent belt control and OE-style fit. It is a direct replacement for select Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln applications, including Taurus, Sable, Windstar, and Continental models.

Gates applies OE system design experience to this DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner line, with manufacturing held to tight tolerances for fit, form, and function. The result is a thermoplastic tensioner assembly with a 6-groove V-ribbed pulley, flanged pulley design, and OE Improved comparison rating.

Key Features

• Part number 38139 for select accessory drive belt system applications
• Thermoplastic tensioner assembly with one mounting hole
• 6-groove V-ribbed pulley with grooved contact surface
• Flanged pulley design for belt tracking support
• OE Improved comparison rating
• Outside diameter: 2.99 in. (76 mm)
• Width: 0.98 in. (25 mm)
• Bearing bore inside diameter: 0.67 in. (17 mm)

Detailed Description

This Gates DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner is engineered for accessory drive belt systems that rely on stable belt tension and accurate pulley alignment. It is listed for 1988-1995 Ford Taurus, 1994-1995 Ford Sable, 1995-1998 Ford Windstar, 1988-1995 Mercury Sable, and 1988-1994 Lincoln Continental. If you are searching for a Ford Taurus belt tensioner 38139 or a Mercury Sable automatic belt tensioner replacement, this part matches those confirmed applications.

This part cross-references Continental 49247 and Dayco 89217 for the same application. Gates part number 38139 is also associated with OE-style replacement needs where the original tensioner must maintain proper belt routing and pulley contact in a V-ribbed accessory drive system.

What It Helps Address

• Belt slack in the accessory drive system
• Noise caused by inconsistent belt tension
• Belt tracking issues at the tensioner pulley
• Wear from a worn or weak automatic tensioner assembly
• Drive belt service needs on Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Windstar, and Lincoln Continental applications

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify the vehicle year, make, model, and belt routing before installation. Confirm pulley groove count, mounting style, and dimensions against the original tensioner to ensure proper alignment. Inspect the accessory drive belt, idler pulleys, and related components during service so the new tensioner can operate correctly in the belt system.

Quality Assurance

Gates manufactures DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioners to rigid specifications and tolerances to support OE fit, form, and function. Part number 38139 is built as an OE-style replacement for the listed Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln applications.