When do timing belt tensioners need to be replaced?
A timing belt tensioner doesn’t specifically have a lifespan that you can look up in your owner’s manual or online. They are replaced when they wear out, but there is no suggested scheduled maintenance for a tensioner and it’s not the sort of thing that has a specific lifespan.
What happens when a timing belt goes bad?
More often than not, it is actually the tensioner that goes bad, not always the belt (unless it is really old). Most of the time a belt will break due to a seized pulley or bad tensioner allowing it to contact the timing cover. Listen. A bad tensioner will usually be accompanied by noise.
How do you tension a timing belt pulley?
Place the timing belt on each timing belt pulley and ensure proper engagement between the timing belt pulley and timing belt teeth. Lengthen the center distance or adjust the tensioning idler to remove any timing belt slack. Using a tape measure, measure the span length of the drive in inches. Refer to dimension “P” in the diagram above.
How do you install a new timing belt?
Shorten the center distance or release the tensioning idler to install the timing belt. Do not pry the timing belt onto the timing belt pulleys. Place the timing belt on each timing belt pulley and ensure proper engagement between the timing belt pulley and timing belt teeth.
How often should I replace my timing belt?
Even if your timing belt isn’t looking all that bad, it should still be replaced approximately every 60,000 miles. Sometimes, signs of wear aren’t immediately apparent. When you replace the timing belt and tensioner, your mechanic may also recommend replacing the idlers and the water pump.
When to replace a serpentine belt tensioner?
Repair Topics > Belts Serpentine & Timing > When to replace serpentine… Let’s get this straight from the get-go, a serpentine belt tensioner doesn’t last the life of the vehicle. In fact, most start to show serious wear right around the 100K mile mark. You may think a worn tensioner just means your belt loses tension; you’d be wrong.
Can a drive belt tensioner wear down over time?
These issues will just become more and more pronounced. The drive belt tensioner can wear down over time, just due to normal wear and tear. It’s a good idea to have it inspected each time you have your belt system looked at. The goal is to replace it before it actually breaks down, and causes your vehicle to run less than perfectly.
What happens to an engine when the timing belt fails?
Engines come in two configurations: Interference and non-interference. When a timing belt fails the camshaft (s) stops turning and the valves stop moving, but the crankshaft still rotates for a few seconds. An interference engine has insufficient clearance between the valves and pistons.