Table of Contents
How do you tighten a tensioner pulley?
Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt is loose enough to remove. Tighten the tensioner pulley by turning the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is tight.
How do you adjust a timing belt tensioner?
How to Adjust a Timing Belt Park your car in a safe environment for you to work on it. Pop the latch and open your hood. Disconnect your car’s battery. Locate the timing belt and related apparatus. Remove the timing cover. Relax the timing belt’s tensioner. Adjust the timing belt as necessary.
Can you adjust the tension on a belt tensioner?
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.
Is 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 an automatic 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 I know if my timing belt is loose?
Symptoms Of A Failing Or Broken Timing Belt You Hear Odd Noises Coming From The Engine. Your Check Engine Light Is On And Flashing. Your Car Starts Hard And Occasionally Misfires. You Notice A Loss Of Power And Your Car Runs Or Idles More Roughly Than Normal.
Can you move a belt tensioner by hand?
Note the wear pattern on the tensioner and idler pulley(s). Misalignment and bearing wear can cause the belt to track off-center. This will cause the belt to wear quickly. The tensioner and idler pulley bearings can be checked by removing the belt and spinning the pulleys by hand.
How do you check a timing belt tensioner?
Press on the belt between the pulleys. It should not move more than about ¼ inch. Tip: If the belt is loose, then the tensioner should be replaced. This is also a good time to check the timing belt.
Should a tensioner pulley be loose?
If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started. If the drive belt tensioner pulley has any sort of issue it can cause unusual and accelerated wear on the belt. A bad pulley can cause fraying on the edges of the belt, and in severe cases can even cause it to break.
Is the tensioner pulley supposed to wiggle?
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.
What happens if timing belt is to tight?
If the timing belt is insufficiently tense, there is a danger that it will ping off. If it is too tight, all of the bearings will be stressed, which is definitely also a bad thing. You’ll notice this thanks to the loud running noise. In the worst-case scenario, the belt can even snap.
How tight should a pulley belt be?
Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth. The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
What are some potential problems if belt tension is too loose?
When a belt is too loose: Cracking of the belt. Pieces breaking off. Hardened appearance. Squealing during startup. Over amperage of your motor. Pulleys wearing out prematurely. Worn our front motor bearing.
Which way do you turn a tensioner pulley?
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.
Is there any warning before timing belt breaks?
The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you’re within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless. That being said, sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out.
Is the idler pulley and tensioner pulley the same?
Idlers vs. The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. However, if bearings fail, tensioner and idler pulleys both require replacement.
How do I loosen the tensioner on a serpentine belt?
If equipped with a tensioner screw, back off the tensioner screw. Then, push the alternator toward the other pulleys, loosening the belt. To loosen an NAI tensioner, loosen the locking nut or bolt, then back off the tensioner screw. Push the pulley toward the other pulleys or accessories, loosening the belt.
What happens if timing belt tensioner fails?
Usually, the tensioner is replaced along with the timing belt. When a timing belt tensioner fails, it loses tension. As a result, the timing belt becomes loose and the valve timing can be thrown off. This leads to engine performance issues.
