Mell Can a belt tensioner be repaired?
If you have a manual belt tensioner, this is an easy fix. Simply use a wrench to adjust the tension to the proper level. If the drive belt shows any wear, it should be replaced. If you have a bad spring or hydraulic drive belt tensioner, it is not repairable.
How do I know if my pulley tensioner is bad?
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.
How do you change a fan belt tensioner?
How to replace an accessory tensioner in 8 easy steps
- Draw a sketch or take a picture of the belt routing.
- Unload the belt from the tensioner by rotating the tensioner.
- Remove the old tensioner from the engine.
- Place the new tensioner on the engine.
What does a bad belt tensioner sound like?
A belt that is not properly tensioned will start slipping. A loud noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side are some of the symptoms of a loose belt. There is a belt that keeps slipping off the pulley.
Can I drive with a bad tensioner?
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.
What does a bouncing belt tensioner indicate?
It is important to note that any abnormal chattering or bouncing of the tensioner arm under normal operation indicates the tensioner has already failed and should be replaced.
How is the tension set on a serpentine belt?
Depending on the application, your serpentine belt will either have tension placed on it using a movable bracket or an auto tensioner pulley. This pulley uses an internal spring to apply consistent pressure to the belt at all times. If your vehicle does not have a tensioner pulley, the alternator bracket is likely how tension is set on the belt.
What happens when a belt tensioner goes bad?
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.
What’s the best way to replace a serpentine belt?
Auto tensioners have either a hole that will fit a half inch drive ratchet, or a bolt you can use a socket to apply pressure to. Insert the wrench or place the socket over the bolt on the tensioner and twist it away from the belt to relieve the tension on it.
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.