Table of Contents
How tight should a belt tensioner be?
A general rule of thumb for the correct tightness is being able to twist a belt with a thumb and finger a 1/2 turn and feel resistance. If you can turn it more than a 1/2 turn, you do not have enough tension on the belt. If you cannot turn it a 1/2 turn, you have too much tension on the belt.
Can you adjust an automatic belt tensioner?
Cars equipped with an automatic belt tensioner adjust themselves over time and do not require adjustment. This article shows you the process to adjust drive belts on a pivot-style belt adjuster. Warning: Drive belts that are cracked or excessively worn should be replaced.
How do you align a tensioner pulley?
The accessory belt needs to be loosened before the adjustment bolt can be turned on the side, top or bottom of the pulley. Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise to tighten the pulley.
Is a belt tensioner supposed to move?
The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.
Can you adjust the tensioner pulley?
The accessory belt needs to be loosened before the adjustment bolt can be turned on the side, top or bottom of the pulley. Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise to tighten the pulley.
Should belt tensioner wobble at idle?
Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling If your belt tensioner is chirping or makes other noises, it is often an indication that the part is old and needs to be replaced. If the belt tensioner is moving more than it should, there is a good chance it will require replacement.
How do I know if my serpentine belt is misaligned?
Noises that indicate your drive belt may be misaligned As the speed of the serpentine belt or drive belt increases, it will probably become nearly inaudible. A squeal, on the other hand, is a chirp that gets louder and increases in volume along with engine speed.
Which way do you turn a tensioner?
Rotate the pulley on the belt tensioner counterclockwise to relieve the tension of the belt with the proper sized socket and ratchet. Slide the belt off of the belt tensioner pulley. Let the belt hang down.
How do you tighten a timing belt tensioner pulley?
To even out the tension in the belt, use a spanner or socket wrench on the crankshaft-pulley bolt and turn the crankshaft two full turns clockwise . Tighten the locking bolt first to hold the tensioner in its new position. Tighten the pivot-spring bolt, which has a precise torque setting.
Can a belt tensioner making noise?
1. Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner. The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started.
Why is my belt tensioner bouncing?
Excessive arm movement or bounce due to a worn damper: The damper moderates the action of the tensioner spring in much the same way that a shock absorber dampens a vehicle’s suspension. As the damper wears, the tensioner arm can bounce away from the belt, causing excessive belt slippage.
Should the tensioner pulley spin freely?
Checking the Tensioner Spin the pulley to see if it spins freely. If you hear grinding or the pulley doesn’t spin freely, replace the tensioner. When you replace the belt, it should take a lot of muscle power to move the tensioner. If you can move it easily, the spring tension is most likely not tight enough.
Should a tensioner pulley wobble?
If the tensioner pulley wobbles on its shaft, it means the interior shaft bearings have worn. This will cause a pulley misalignment. Bad bearings cause an audible growling noise. An excessively wobbling pulley can throw the belt off, causing all the accessories to quit functioning.
What causes a tensioner to fail?
A seized tensioner cannot maintain proper belt tension. Dirt or mud can also jam the tensioner housing. A loose or worn pivot arm can allow unwanted movement; that results in belt noise and misalignment. Over time, this will increase belt wear and lead to premature belt failure.
What happens when a belt tensioner goes bad?
Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.
How do I know if my tensioner pulley bearing is bad?
Listen for a fluttering” noise while driving or while the car is idling. This indicates the tensioner is too loose. Other noises such as squealing or whirling from the front of the engine mean the spring inside the tensioner is weakening. In this case, the belt tensioner needs to be replaced.
Can a bad belt tensioner cause vibration?
If you suspect you’re dealing with a failing tensioner or idler, you’ll want to watch for the following symptoms: Excessive tensioner movement – Worn-out coil springs can also cause drive belt tensioners to loosen their grip on the drive belt, resulting in excessive vibration and rattling.
What does a misaligned serpentine belt sound like?
Noises that indicate your drive belt may be misaligned A chirp is a repetitive, high-pitched noise that doesn’t last long, and is usually worse when the engine is idling. A squeal, on the other hand, is a chirp that gets louder and increases in volume along with engine speed.
Can a serpentine belt be put on wrong?
NOTE: A serpentine belt will usually go on only one way. In some instances it may be possible to install a serpentine belt the wrong way. If this happens, one or more pulleys will rotate in the WRONG direction, affecting the operation of the alternator, water pump, A/C compressor or power steering pump.
What causes pulley misalignment?
Angular Misalignment This occurs when pulleys become “tilted” because their shafts are not parallel. Worn bushings and bearings can allow rotating shafts to become cockeyed in their bores. Premature bearing and bushing wear is often caused by the strain of excessive belt tension.
