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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.
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.
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.
When twisted either way from the middle, the tension in the belt must not be more than 12 inch. The belt is too tight if it is twisted more. The positions do not work for the vehicle.
Most serpentine belts have an auto-tensioner that automatically keeps the proper tension on the belt. However, some belts have an adjustment screw that applies tension to the belt. … To correct the problem, tighten your belt.
The automatic belt tensioner is a spring-loaded idler pulley that maintains constant tension on the drive belt at all engine speeds. The faster that the engine turns, the belt gets stretched more which actually makes the belt loose.
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.
In most cases, it’s caused by the tensioner pulley being slightly misaligned. When you replace the serpentine belt, it’s important to align the pulley with the right tools; such as a serpentine belt removal tool and pulley alignment wrench.
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle performance issues can also indicate a problem with your vehicle’s serpentine belt because bad serpentine belt causes loss of power. … So if you have searched for answers to the question, can a bad serpentine belt cause rough idle? The answer is yes.
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.
Tensioners take up slack and allow you to adjust tension on your roller chain or belt. A built-in spring allows the adjustment arm to apply continuous tension. They are for use with idler sprockets or pulleys.
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.
Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling
In general, belt tensioners tend to get noisy when they fail. 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. You can even remove the belt, spin each pulley, and listen for rumbling or other noises.
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.
WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs. In most cases, removing the moisture will stop the squeal. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes, then spray rubber dressing, also known as belt dressing, onto the belt in the same manner employed above.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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