What do you need to know about drive belt tensioners?

What do you need to know about drive belt tensioners?

Average rating from 129,829 customers who received a Vehicle Engine Mechanical Inspection. A drive belt tensioner is a pulley mounted on a spring mechanism or adjustable pivot point that is used to keep tension on the engine belts. Spring tensioners are designed to tension automatically while the pivot design types can be adjusted manually.

Do you need to replace the Mercedes belt tensioner?

In this guide, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to replace the Mercedes-Benz belt tensioner. While it is not required to replace the drive belt, it makes sense to replace it simultaneously as the tensioner. It is ok to reuse the old belt if it does not show wear, cracking, degradation, or drying.

What should the torque be on a Mercedes tensioner?

Torque the tensioner bolts to the recommended manufacturer specifications. Typical torque for the tensioner bolts ranges between 25Nm to 35 Nm. Check with your dealer. Install the drive belt. Make sure it is routed on all the pulleys properly. If the belt does not reach, make sure it is not sitting on top of one of the pulleys.

What does a loose belt tensioner sound like?

If the drive belt noise resembles a squeal or a squeak, it is possible that the belt tensioner is loose. This is especially the case when starting the engine first thing in the morning. Since the tensioner is not able to maintain the correct tension on the belts, it produces a squealing or squeaking sound.

How do you adjust the tension on a serpentine belt?

Locate the adjuster bolt on the belt tensioner used to secure the serpentine belt, and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the adjuster bolt with a racthet and socket while you simultaneously move the belt back and forth gently to find the proper tension.

Torque the tensioner bolts to the recommended manufacturer specifications. Typical torque for the tensioner bolts ranges between 25Nm to 35 Nm. Check with your dealer. Install the drive belt. Make sure it is routed on all the pulleys properly. If the belt does not reach, make sure it is not sitting on top of one of the pulleys.

In this guide, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to replace the Mercedes-Benz belt tensioner. While it is not required to replace the drive belt, it makes sense to replace it simultaneously as the tensioner. It is ok to reuse the old belt if it does not show wear, cracking, degradation, or drying.

What happens if your belt tensioner is not adjusted?

As such, if your belt tensioner is not adjusted correctly, components like the alternator, power steering pump and water pump will not function properly. The good news is, adjusting it is a fairly simple procedure, so you can save a good deal of money by doing the job yourself.

What kind of belt tensioner does Citroen use?

These works concern an EP6 engine found on many Peugeot, Citroen and Mini vehicles. Belt tensioners with arm are very similar on other engines. Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.

What can a bad tensioner do to a car?

When the tensioner has an issue, it can affect the how the belts drive the pulleys which can affect the performance and functionality of the vehicle. Usually a bad or failing tensioner will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced. 1. Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner

Can you damage an automatic belt tensioner on a mini?

If you’re replacing your automatic tensioner, be aware that it is supplied pre-loaded. Do not hurry up to take out the pin. You can hurt yourself and damage the tensioner. See below. These works concern an EP6 engine found on many Peugeot, Citroen and Mini vehicles.

When do I need to replace my tensioner belt?

If you have a newer vehicle, your tensioner and belt needs to be replaced regularly according your vehicle manual. At O’Reilly Auto Parts, we have tensioner assemblies for most makes and models. Explore our options and find a tensioner assembly that can fit your vehicle.

Can a bad belt tensioner cause a car to break?

In more severe instances, a bad tensioner pulley can cause the drive belt to break. Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner.

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.

When do you Know Your tensioner is going bad?

If your tensioner is going bad, you may notice squealing from your belt when the car is running, abnormal belt wear, or things like your air conditioner, power steering, or alternator not working properly. It’s a good idea to replace your tensioner and belt as soon as you see signs of wear if you have an older vehicle.