What should I know about my belt tensioner?
Check your belts tensioner. The tensioner regulates the amount of tension placed on the belt to make sure it stays on the pulleys. If the tension is loose, the belt can slip off the pulleys and cause components powered by the belt to lose power.
How can I tell if my tensioner is bad?
These are definite signs that the tensioner needs replaced. Turn off the engine. Examine the serpentine belt for unusual damage. If your engine’s belt has broken or cracked grooves, is worn smooth or is fraying then the belt will need to be replaced. A bad belt tensioner is a likely cause of belt damage.
When do you need to replace a tensioner on a car?
Push down on the middle of the belt while the engine is off and the components are cool enough to touch. If you are able to push the belt down more than about an inch, the tensioner probably needs to be replaced. A good tensioner should be holding the belt snugly in place with enough resistance not to allow you to push it down that far.
What causes a belt pulley to lose tension?
• A weak or broken spring inside the tensioner can’t maintain proper tension and the belt will slip. Springs lose tension over time from exposure to heat. • Cracks or damage to the tensioner housing or pulley arm may prevent it from rotating smoothly and maintaining proper belt tension.
How to know if your belt tensioner is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Belt Tensioner 1 Squeaking or Grinding Noise. 2 Unusual Belt Wear. 3 Failure of the Belt-driven Accessories to Operate. 4 Bleeding Rust and Presence of Cracks. 5 Excessive Wear of Pulley Bearing. 6 Visible Signs of Pulley Wear. 7 Excessive Sideward Movement of the Tensioner Arm. 8 Loss of Tensioner Spring Force.
When to replace idler pulley and belt tensioner?
If the automatic belt tensioner has failed (and the engine has a lot of miles on it), it’s probably a good idea to replace the idler pulley (s) at the same time. Why? Because the shaft bearings on all the pulleys will have the same amount of wear.
When do you need to replace serpentine belt tensioner?
If you see more, the dampening mechanism is worn and the tensioner must be replaced. If the serpentine belt tensioner arm moves more than 1/32″ while engine is running, the vibration dampener in the tensioner is worn out.
What to do when your timing belt loosens?
To release pressure from the system, turn the tensioner away from the belt. Depending on your vehicle’s setup, you may need to turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. Rotate it until you notice the timing belt loosen and begin to slip off the tensioner. Always turn off the vehicle before adjusting the tensioner.