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.
Likewise, how do you remove a tensioner?
You can save yourself time and money by removing the belt tensioner assembly on your own.
- Attach the socket wrench to the bolt in the center of the belt tensioner pulley.
- Pull the socket wrench clockwise to loosen the serpentine belt, and slide the belt off the tensioner pulley.
Likewise, can you drive with a bad tensioner pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises. The car can still run for months or break after a few days.
In respect to this, how tight should a tensioner pulley be?
The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should not deflect more than ½ inch when twisted either way from the middle. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.
Can you replace just the pulley on a tensioner?
More often than not, just the pulley goes bad on the tensioner, not the whole tensioner, and for most vehicles, you can purchase and replace the pulley instead of the tensioner itself. The pulley should be replaced if it has a lot of resistance when you spin it.
15 Related Question Answers Found
What does a bad tensioner pulley sound like?
Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner 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.
How long does it take to replace a tensioner pulley?
You are only required to loosen the bolt that goes behind the PS pump. This will move the tensioner pulley. You will then slide the default belt off and replace with the right one. This process should not take you more than 30 minutes.
What happens if the tensioner pulley fails?
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.
How do I know if my tensioner pulley is bad?
Symptoms of a Failing Belt Tensioner Squeaking or Grinding Noise. Unusual Belt Wear. Failure of the Belt-driven Accessories to Operate. Bleeding Rust and Presence of Cracks. Excessive Wear of Pulley Bearing. Visible Signs of Pulley Wear. Excessive Sideward Movement of the Tensioner Arm. Loss of Tensioner Spring Force.
How much does it cost to replace a tensioner pulley?
You will pay somewhere between $125 and $380 to have your tensioner pulley replaced. The labor should run between $45 and $155, while parts can cost as little as $85 or as much as $225.
Can you adjust 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.
How do you adjust 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 test a belt tensioner?
If a belt starts slipping, the tensioner should always be checked to see if it is functioning properly. With the belt off, visually inspect the tensioner for any cracks or signs of metal-to-metal contact between the tensioner arm and the spring case. Then spin the tensioner pulley manually.
Why do belt tensioners fail?
If the belt tension is too low, the belt will slip causing noise, extremely high temperatures and premature belt wear, all of which can lead to the poor functioning of the belt-driven accessories. If the tension is too high, this will cause excessive wear to the belt-driven accessories.
When should I replace my belt tensioner?
It should be noted that the drive belt itself will most likely need replacing before the tensioner does. Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. There aren’t a lot of warning signs that a drive belt tensioner has hit the end of its lifespan, in fact there is really only one.
How does a tensioner pulley work?
The pulley is what facilitates movement of the belt. The tensioner arm is found on the bottom of the tensioner, and if you press on it, it will work against the spring, delivering enough slack so that you can adjust or remove the belt.
How do you fix an idler pulley?
Part 1 of 1: Replacing an idler pulley Materials Needed. Replacement idler pulley. Step 1: Disconnect the battery. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the car battery to cut power to the engine. Step 2: Remove the drive belt. Step 3: Remove the old pulley. Step 4: Install the new pulley. Step 5: Torque the pulley.
How much is a belt tensioner?
The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are estimated between $73 and $93 while parts are priced between $138 and $146. Estimate does not include taxes and fees. When would you like to drop off your car?
What does the idler pulley do?
Idler pulleys are engine pulleys that are responsible for guiding and tensioning the engine drive belts. The engine drive belts are routed in a specific manner around the various engine accessories, such as the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and AC compressor.
Why do serpentine belts fall off?
The serpentine belt may come off due to a worn tensioner, idler pulley or pulley alignment. You should have a qualified technician look at the belt alignment while the engine is running. Anything that looks out of alignment at that point should be repaired.