What are the pulleys and tensioners of a belt drive engine?
All belt driven engines will have a timing belt, tensioner and several pulleys. The pulleys are responsible for guiding the belt around the engine and various components and drive units. The tensioner is responsible for ensuring the correct amount of tension is applied to the belt so as to maintain synchronous drive.
What causes a serpentine belt pulley to squeak?
The serpentine belt in your car powers the accessories such as air conditioning, power steering, the alternator, and waterpump. Tensioner pulley wear will cause your pulley to squeak.
Do you need to replace a tensioner pulley?
These pulleys do wear out over time and will need to be replaced. If you are able to catch it in the right time, this will prevent any excessive damage or unneeded down time for repairs on your vehicle. Maintenance intervals do vary depending on manufacturer and also the quality of bearing found in the pulley.
Can a belt tensioner be automatic or manual?
Tensioners can either be manual or automatic adjustment. Manual belt tensioners require the tension to be setby rotating the tensioner unit and locking it permanently at the required tension.
What happens when a pulley on a tensioner goes bad?
A tensioner pulley guides the belt around the tensioner and allows the belt to spin while the tensioner maintains pressure against it. A failing tensioner pulley can cause power loss and damage to your belt-driven systems.
When to replace a tensioner on a belt?
On systems equipped with an automatic tensioner, the tensioner pulley should turn freely without binding, the tensioner arm should move smoothly through its entire range of motion and there should be adequate tension. Replace the tensioner and /or pulley as required
What causes low belt tension and belt noise?
Causes: 1 Low belt tension 2 Low installation tension (manually tensioned drives), belt stretch, extreme belt wear, tensioner spring degradation or a belt that is too long 3 High accessory / idler drag 4 Seized bearings or accessory failure / lock –up 5 Environmental contamination
What makes a belt make a chirping noise?
Most chirp noises occur as a short belt span enters into a grooved pulley, typically after exiting a backside pulley. Contamination (oil, power steering fluid, antifreeze, belt dressing, brake cleaner, etc. Inspect and replace all accessories / pulleys that are difficult to rotate (i.e. rough/seized bearings), or show excessive wobble / free rock