What causes a belt and pulley to come off an engine?
The idler pulley or tensioner pulley may have seized up causing the pulley and belt to come off the engine. When these parts come off with the engine running, depending on how fast the engine was running (how high the RPM’s were when it happened) will determine the cause of the coolant leak.
Why does my idler pulley squeal when I Turn on the engine?
Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts. If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley.
What happens when the tensioner on a car goes loose?
If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started. It is also possible for the tensioner pulley or bearing to wear out, in which case the vehicle will produce a grinding noise from the pulley.
What does the pulley on a belt tensioner do?
The pulley is what allows the movement of the drive belt. The spring keeps the drive belt in its correct tension. The tensioner arm is a mechanism that allows for the adjustment or the removal of the drive belt. It delivers enough slack on the drive belt for easier adjustments. The base is what holds all the different parts together.
The idler pulley or tensioner pulley may have seized up causing the pulley and belt to come off the engine. When these parts come off with the engine running, depending on how fast the engine was running (how high the RPM’s were when it happened) will determine the cause of the coolant leak.
Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts. If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley.
What to do if your belt and pulley fall off?
Before replacing the pulley and belt, check all of the other pulleys and make sure that they spin, except for the crankshaft pulley, as it spins with the engine running. If you need further assistance with your situation of a coolant leak and belt breakage, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
What are the symptoms of an idler pulley problem?
One of the first symptoms of an issue with an idler pulley is visible wear on the pulley. Over time, as the pulley spins against the belt, both components will eventually start to wear. This may lead to visible scoring marks on the surface of the pulley, as a result of contact with the belt.