Is there a tensioner between the alternator and the motor?
Anyways, there is no tensioner between the alternator and the motor, it’s just one belt that connects the two with nothing in between – at seemingly a static distance. It’s installed by removing the bolts on the alternator so it can be moved into and out of place. The alternator actually pivots around the lower bolt, so you can remove the belt.
Can a belt be removed from a car alternator?
The alternator actually pivots around the lower bolt, so you can remove the belt. The other bolt will be in a slot not a round hole, and the position of the bolt in the slot adjusts the belt tension. You didn’t tension the belt enough when you refitted the alternator.
How do you change a serpentine car belt?
If you can find some instructions on how to change the belt they should tell you how tight it should be, but if you can depress it more than half an inch with your fingers (when the engine is off, of course!!!) it’s probably too loose. Loosen both bolts, then push the alternator as hard as you can to tension the belt while you tighten the top bolt.
Why are my serpentine belts squealing after replacing?
Just replaced both serpentine belts in my car, was not running into any kind of squealing before, but had not replaced the belts yet and the car was up to 90k miles. After replacing the belts, they started squealing.
Where does the serpentine belt go on an alternator?
If you do not have a diagram on the vehicle or in your service manual laying out the direction your serpentine belt travels through the pulleys, take a picture of it with your phone to refer to when installing the new belt. A strictly alternator belt will likely only go around an alternator pulley and the crank pulley at the bottom of the engine.
When do you need to replace an alternator pulley?
Most pulleys must be replaced when the bearings fail. However, there are instances where the pulley itself may be damaged, such as in a front-end collision. Bearings fail over time through normal wear and tear. If you don’t replace the bearing before it fails, the alternator will no longer operate, depriving your car of electricity.
What’s the best way to loosen an alternator belt?
Use a breaker bar or socket wrench to loosen the auto-tensioner. Many newer model vehicles come equipped with an auto-tensioner pulley. The pulley presses upward as the belt wraps around it so the belt remains under constant, steady tension.
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.