How Long Do Belt Tensioners Last? new for 2022

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How Long Do Belt Tensioners Last?

How long does a belt tensioner last? It’s always best to check your owner’s manual to find out exactly how long your particular timing belt’s last but it’s worth noting that in general they are expected to last between 60,000 miles and 100,000 miles.Mar 25, 2021

How often should belt tensioners be replaced?

There is no recommended timeframe in which to replace your tensioner, especially as the belt itself usually needs replacing before the tensioner does. However, you should inspect your tensioner each time you service your car to monitor its condition and replace it if necessary.

How long do tensioner pulleys last?

Most modern cars that roll off the dealer’s lot as a new vehicle will have a 60,000 to 100,000-mile life expectancy for the serpentine belt, tensioners, and idler pulleys.

What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?

Rust bleed and cracks. Appearance: Rust is bleeding between arm and base or dripping from the tensioner. …
Pulley bearing wear. …
Pulley wear. …
Tensioner assembly misalignment. …
Tensioner noise. …
Tensioner arm misalignment. …
Excessive tensioner arm oscillation. …
Binding or grinding tensioner arm movement.

How do I know if my belt tensioner needs replacing?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Drive Belt Tensioner

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. …
Unusual belt wear. …
Belt-driven accessories fail.

Do belt tensioners go bad?

The drive belt tensioner can wear down over time, just due to normal wear and tear. It’s a good idea to have it inspected each time you have your belt system looked at. The goal is to replace it before it actually breaks down, and causes your vehicle to run less than perfectly.

Why do belt tensioners fail?

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. A worn bushing in the tensioner pulley, can cause vibrations and noise.

Should I replace idler pulley and tensioner?

If there is any wobble, squeak, or undue friction, the idler pulley should be replaced. The best way to maximize the idler pulley’s lifespan is to maintain proper tension on the serpentine belt and replace belts with new ones whenever required.

How much does it cost to get a belt tensioner replaced?

To get the belt tensioner replaced, you will pay anywhere from $140 to almost $400. The price of parts and labor varies from one car to the next, with most labor costs coming in at about $70 or $80.

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Do you need to replace the tensioner when replacing timing belt?

When the timing belt is replaced, other parts, including the tensioner, should be replaced at the same time. This is because these components wear out at essentially the same rate as the belt. For instance, the tensioner bearings could dry out or even seize.

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 bad tensioner sound like?

Symptom 1: Squealing, rattling, or chirping.

When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise.

How much does a tensioner cost?

The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.

Can a bad tensioner cause engine 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.

Is the tensioner pulley supposed to bounce?

Absolutely you’ll see it bouncing slightly. The reason is, the belt will stretch and contract slightly as the engine speeds up/slows down. The tensioner provides two different functions: Provides tension to keep the serpentine belt tight during operation.

How do I know if my tensioner pulley bearing is bad?

Signs of a Bad Idler Pulley

Squealing. When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound. …
Frozen. The bearings in a pulley may cause the pulley to freeze or in some cases hard to spin. …
Belt Travel. …
Pulley Mounting.

How do you diagnose a bad tensioner?

What happens if tensioner pulley breaks?

When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise. Symptom 2: Knocking or slapping. … This can cause a slapping or knocking noise.

Should belt tensioner wobble at idle?

A bad belt tensioner spring will often cause the tension arm to bounce up and down with the cycling of the motor. This makes the belt wobble as the engine runs. These are definite signs that the tensioner needs replaced.

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How long should a tensioner last?

Is it hard to replace a belt tensioner?

Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.

Is the belt tensioner supposed to spin?

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.

What is the lifespan of a serpentine belt?

Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Pretty impressive. However, some belts are manually tensioned and may need to be adjusted.

How much is a tensioner pulley?

As a general rule of thumb, the tensioner pulley should be changed every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. The price of a direct-fit accessory belt tension pulley replacement generally ranges between $5 and $250. You can buy this part individually, by sets of two, or as part of a kit.

Can you just replace the timing tensioner?

You could replace the belt and tensioner, only to have the water pump go shortly afterward. Then the belt and tensioner are going to have to be removed to get at the water pump, and that can be more costly than simply replacing it at the same time as the belt.

Can a timing belt tensioner be reused?

All can be reused if they are in good condition. I had my timing belt off and back on at least 5 times. Just follow the procedure for removing/installing the belt and tensioner and you will be fine.

When should a tensioner bearing be replaced?

SKF recommends replacing timing belts, tensioner and idlers at 60,000 to 80,000 miles to prevent unnecessary damage to your engine. Don’t forget to check for oil leaks while investigating bearing noise.

What problems can a bad tensioner pulley cause?

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. Other symptoms of a bad belt tensioner is failure of the belt driven accessories.

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Can a bad belt tensioner cause misfire?

If the tensioner is worn, the belt will slip and then catch suddenly. Tensioners are more than just a spring. … The belt will slip and catch, causing noise and vibration. This can cause a change in crankshaft speed that is severe enough to cause the engine management system to think that a misfire just occurred.

Will a bad belt tensioner cause power steering problems?

When the tensioner fails, the serpentine belt will slip off and break. When this happens, the alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor will stop working. Since there is no belt turning the pulley, the battery light will turn on, and steering will be difficult. The AC compressor will also stop working as well.

Why is my car ticking when I turn it on?

The most common cause of engine ticking noise is low oil pressure. … Your engine may be low on oil or there could be a problem inside the engine causing the low oil pressure. Ticking, tapping, or clicking sounds can also be symptoms of worn valve train components such as lifters or cam followers.

How much does it cost to replace timing chain tensioner?

The average cost to replace timing chain tensioner is around US$1000 to US$1600. In which the service is around US$600 to US$1000 while aftermarket auto parts are estimated between US$450 and US$600.

Can you hear timing belt going bad?

In particular, a faulty timing belt will make a noticeable ticking or clicking sound that is very distinct from any other noise you can expect to hear from your engine. This is the most definitive sign that you have a problem with your timing belt, in fact.

How many tensioners does a car have?

There are three main types of belt tensioners found in the replacement auto parts market. Each one works a little differently, but all ensure that your alternator and auxiliary pumps receive the power needed to keep your car or truck moving.

Is a tensioner pulley the same as an idler pulley?

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.