Can belt tensioner cause AC not work?
Belt-driven accessories fail A seized or loose drive belt tensioner can cause the belt to snap, which will disables those accessories and can cause problems such as overheating, a dead electrical system and battery, or a disabled AC system.
Will a bad serpentine belt cause alternator problems?
One of the most overlooked maintenance items on vehicles are serpentine belts. Once the belt is worn, it will have less surface area contact with the pulley and begin to fail or make noise. Also, a worn belt will not properly seat into an alternator drive pulley, so it may not carry the full output of an alternator.
Should you replace serpentine belt when replacing alternator?
The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that transports power to the engine accessories—the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and (sometimes) the water pump. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
Do I need to replace tensioner with serpentine belt?
In order to keep the proper tension on your vehicle’s serpentine belt, a drive belt tensioner is used. It should be noted that the drive belt itself will most likely need replacing before the tensioner does. Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.
What’s the best way to replace a serpentine belt?
Install the new belt Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley up top. Belt tensioners are mostly spring tension. Once installed, the spring retains pressure to the belt.
Where is the serpentine belt tensioner located on a car?
This is a pulley that is either mounted to an adjustable pivot point or a spring mechanism. If you open up the hood of your car, you’ll see that the serpentine belt is on the front of your engine. It is the long one. The pulley itself is found on the outside of the belt, which is how it adds tension or pressure.
Can a worn belt tensioner damage an alternator?
It’s just the opposite. A worn tensioner actually increases tension on the belt and that increased tension can damage the nose bearings on your AC compressor, power steering pump and alternator. Here’s why.
When to replace serpentine belt tensioner — Ricks free?
A good belt tensioner will dampen the power pulses so much that the tensioner pulley arm barely moves. As the dampener wears the pulses cause the belt to flutter and that can be seen on the pulley arm. A belt tensioner pulley arm should not move more than 1/32”.