How do you install a belt tensioner?
How do you install a 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.
When do you know you need to replace your belt tensioner?
If you notice that there is resistance, roughness, or noise every time you turn the pulley, then there’s a chance that the problem is in the pulley bearings. You might think of replacing only the pulley bearings in this case. Mechanics will tell you to replace the entire belt tensioner system.
What does the pulley on a belt tensioner do?
The pulley is what allows the movement of the drive belt. The spring keeps the drive belt in its correct tension. The tensioner arm is a mechanism that allows for the adjustment or the removal of the drive belt. It delivers enough slack on the drive belt for easier adjustments. The base is what holds all the different parts together.
What does a loose belt tensioner sound like?
If the drive belt noise resembles a squeal or a squeak, it is possible that the belt tensioner is loose. This is especially the case when starting the engine first thing in the morning. Since the tensioner is not able to maintain the correct tension on the belts, it produces a squealing or squeaking sound.
What causes a serpentine belt pulley to squeak?
The serpentine belt in your car powers the accessories such as air conditioning, power steering, the alternator, and waterpump. Tensioner pulley wear will cause your pulley to squeak.
How do you reinstall a serpentine belt on an auto tensioner?
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the serpentine belt on the pulley system auto tensioner. Be careful to get the belt on the the other pulleys and aligned properly on all parts of the complicated routing, then apply the tool to allow the belt to be slipped onto the tensioner pulley.
Where is the tensioner on a drive belt?
It is the long one. The pulley itself is found on the outside of the belt, which is how it adds tension or pressure. The problem with the drive belt tensioner is that once it goes, it usually means replacing the pulleys and sometimes the drive belt itself. It’s not usually a one-part replacement job.
How often should I replace my tensioner belt?
This is a good way to detect early warning signs of any possible problems. 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.
Can a bad belt tensioner cause a car to break?
In more severe instances, a bad tensioner pulley can cause the drive belt to break. Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner.
