One of the most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started. … Other symptoms of a bad belt tensioner is failure of the belt driven accessories.
How much play should a belt tensioner have?
The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should not deflect more than ½ inch when twisted either way from the middle. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.
Can you over tighten an alternator belt?
Dear Anthony: A belt should never be over-tightened. … An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.
Is the tensioner pulley supposed to spin?
Checking the Tensioner Spin the pulley to see if it spins freely. If you hear grinding or the pulley doesn’t spin freely, replace the tensioner. When you replace the belt, it should take a lot of muscle power to move the tensioner. If you can move it easily, the spring tension is most likely not tight enough.How tight should idler pulley be?
When twisted either way from the middle, the tension in the belt must not be more than 12 inch. The belt is too tight if it is twisted more. The positions do not work for the vehicle.
How do I know if my belt tensioner needs to be replaced?
Appearance: Cycle the tensioner (mounted on the engine) through the entire range of motion (from stop to stop) by applying torque to the arm with a wrench. The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.
How do I know if my tensioner pulley bearing is bad?
Listen for a fluttering” noise while driving or while the car is idling. This indicates the tensioner is too loose. Other noises such as squealing or whirling from the front of the engine mean the spring inside the tensioner is weakening. In this case, the belt tensioner needs to be replaced.
Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?
Test the proper tension on the belts. … Over-tightened belts can cause internal damage to the bearings inside the pulleys. It can also cause overheating of the belts and premature wear. Put the vehicle back together by replacing the components required to access the belt tensioners.When should I replace my belt tensioner?
When to Replace Your Belt Tensioner You should expect to replace your belt tensioner in the 40,000-70,000 mile range. It is also customary to swap more than one part simultaneously, usually a worn-out pulley from other systems and even the serpentine belt itself.
How tight should the belt be on a alternator?You want to be able to press down on the belt at a mid point between two pulleys and only be able to move it downward about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. When you have the alternator in the right position, have an assistant tighten the top bolt and nut to lock the alternator in.
Article first time published onHow tight should alternator bolts be?
Make sure the bolts are snug enough to hold the alternator in place, but loose enough to slide side to side in the bracket.
How do you diagnose a bad serpentine belt tensioner?
The symptoms of a loose serpentine belt include a loud squealing noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side. A serpentine belt that keeps slipping off the pulley is another symptom of a bad tensioner.
What happens when a belt tensioner goes bad?
Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.
What causes a tensioner to fail?
Dirt or mud can also jam the tensioner housing. A loose or worn pivot arm can allow unwanted movement; that results in belt noise and misalignment. Over time, this will increase belt wear and lead to premature belt failure. A worn bushing in the tensioner pulley, can cause vibrations and noise.
Can you over tighten an idler pulley bolt?
A belt shouldn’t be over-tightened. Any bearing that the belt rotates on can be burned out by an over-tightened belt. A pulley bearing can be ruined by an over-tightened timing belt.
Is idler pulley same as tensioner?
The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. … However, if bearings fail, tensioner and idler pulleys both require replacement.
Why is my belt tensioner shaking?
Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling In general, belt tensioners tend to get noisy when they fail. If your belt tensioner is chirping or makes other noises, it is often an indication that the part is old and needs to be replaced. You can even remove the belt, spin each pulley, and listen for rumbling or other noises.
How do I know if my serpentine belt is too loose?
Listen for belt squealing. A loose serpentine belt will often produce an audible squeal in the engine bay. This is often the first sign of a loosening serpentine belt and may mean the belt is either too loose or is overly worn.
