How Long Does A Belt Tensioner Last? new for 2022

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The average lifespan of a belt tensioner can vary greatly depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of driving you do.

If your belt tensioner fails, it can cause extensive damage to your engine. Not only will this cost you time and money to repair, but it can also be dangerous.

So How Long Does A Belt Tensioner Last? In this post, we’ll help you learn more information about belt tensioner, let’s find out together!

Contents

How Long Does A Belt Tensioner Last?

The Belt Tensioner

The belt tensioner keeps the engine components moving by working with the drive belt, also known as the serpentine belt. The rubber loop keeps the air conditioning compressor, water pump, alternator, and power steering pump pulleys in motion while the engine is operating. With the aid of the belt tensioner, this component transmits power from the engine to these systems.

The belt tensioner is generally a pulley that’s attached to a bracket designed specifically for the vehicle. By adding tension to the pulleys, this part ensures that all engine components are running as intended.

The belt tensioner is under pressure from a spring, which allows it to adjust as needed. With any type of belt, having the correct amount of pressure is key to keeping your engine running properly. Over time, though, the belt tensioner will lose its ability to apply tension to the serpentine belt. Sometimes this is because of repeated use weakening or freezing up the mechanism. Or sometimes the pulley itself warps, cracks, or starts making noise (usually a squeak) from throwing a bearing.

READ: What Does A Timing Belt Do In A Car?

When to Replace Your Belt Tensioner

You should expect to replace your belt tensioner every 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Some vehicles have a maintenance-free belt tensioner that contains a sealed bearing that doesn’t require lubrication. For these models, all you need to do is keep an eye out for any signs that the tensioner is going bad.

What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?

If your belt tensioner is going bad, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

Squeaking noise from the engine bay. If you hear a squeaking noise coming from under the hood, it could be the belt tensioner. The noise is usually caused by a loose pulley bearing.
Malfunctioning power accessories. If the belt tensioner is not functioning properly, it may cause the power steering, air conditioning, or alternator to stop working.
Engine overheating. If the belt tensioner fails, it may cause the engine to overheat as the water pump will no longer be able to circulate coolant.

How do you check belt tension?

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

The cost of belt tensioners varies widely, but the average is around $200. The price of components and labor may range from $140 to nearly $400, depending on the make and model of your car.

FAQs How Long Does A Belt Tensioner Last

Should I replace tensioner or just pulley?

Belt or tensioner squealing. When the engine is running, the tensioner should be silent. If the pulley is broken, replace both the tensioner and assembly.

READ: What Does Cylinder Mean For Cars?

Can I drive with a bad tensioner?

Bad belt tensioners leads to less power for accessories, which is dangerous. Eventually, the bad tensioner will cause the belt to slip, generate noise, and create heat along the accessory pulleys – all of which are unsafe.

Is it hard to replace a belt tensioner?

Serpentine belt replacement is now easier than ever before because of modern automatic drive belt tensioners. With these, there’s no need to loosen bolts or position pry components back into place for retensioning. All you have to do is rotate the tensioner, remove the oldbelt and put a new one on.

Can a bad tensioner cause engine vibration?

If you think your tensioner or idler is failing, look for the following symptoms: Excessive tensioner movement – Worn-out coil springs can also loosen the grip of drive belt tensioners on the drive belt, causing vibrations and rattling.

Can I drive without belt tensioner?

If the tensioner breaks, the serpentine belt falls off and snaps. This also causes the alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor to seize. Since there is no longer a belt rotating the pulley, the battery light Turns on and makes steering much harder. The AC will also stop cooling at this point.

What sound does a car make when the timing belt is going bad?

When a car’s timing belt begins to deteriorate, it makes a ticking sound in front of the vehicle. If the belt fails, it will make a whining noise when attempting to start the engine. There is no compression in the engine, making an audible whine.

READ: Where Is The Knock Sensor?

What happens if serpentine belt breaks while driving?

If your serpentine belt fails, it can cause a domino effect of car failures, the most severe being that your engine will stall. Not to mention, this is dangerous and wildly inconvenient.

How do you tighten a belt tensioner?

How to Diagnose a Loose or Stuck Belt Tensioner on Your Car or Truck

Conclusion

The lifespan of a belt tensioner can vary greatly depending on the make and model. However, by following the guidelines provided in this article, you can help to extend the life of your belt tensioner and keep your engine running smoothly.

Amortips.com‘s team hope this article provide many helpful information for you. Have you had experience with belt tensioners? Leave a comment below and let us know how long yours lasted!