Can a tensioner pulley be used as an idler?
Idler pulleys often take the place of an accessory that the engine does not have, such as an air conditioning compressor or air pump. Tensioner pulleys are the final category, though they also can be referred to as idlers in some applications.
What does an idler pulley on an AC compressor do?
Idler pulleys are idle in that they are turned by a drive belt but do not actively power an accessory. In some cases, an idler pulley will be used to replace an accessory that is not present, such as an air conditioning (AC) compressor. This is usually referred to as an AC idler pulley.
Can a broken AC compressor cause the serpentine belt to snap?
If the AC clutch bearing seizes while the AC compressor is not operating, the belt can snap then as well. Replacing the serpentine belt tensioner and idler pulley at the same time as the belt is always a good idea. They wear out too!
What happens when a belt tensioner wears out?
So all tensioners include a vibration dampening mechanism. When the dampening mechanism wears out, the belt makes noise and transmits that vibration to other components like the alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor. That vibration can cause premature bearing failure on those components.
How do you remove a bolt from a tensioner pulley?
The tensioner pulley has a smooth surface that the top of the belt — the side with no grooves — rides on. Put a socket on the bolt and turn the bolt counterclockwise to break it loose.
Why is the bolt not coming out of my tensioner?
If it will not break loose because the tensioner wants to move, keep the tensioner from moving by holding it in place with a pry bar; then you will be able to loosen the bolt in the pulley. Though this particular bolt doesn’t usually seem to have problems, sometimes it can rust or have some other issue, causing the bolt to not come out easily.
How does a spring loaded tensioner pulley work?
The tensioner pulley is on the end of a spring-loaded tensioner. The accessory drive belt rides on the pulley while the spring-loaded portion of the assembly puts tension on the accessory drive belt to keep it tight enough so that it doesn’t slip on the rest of the pulleys.
Why is my pulley bolt not coming out?
Though this particular bolt doesn’t usually seem to have problems, sometimes it can rust or have some other issue, causing the bolt to not come out easily. If this is the case, spray it with lubricant and allow it to set for a few minutes to give the lubricant time to work down the threads of the bolt.