Easy lifehacks

Should you be able to move belt tensioner by hand?

Should you be able to move belt tensioner by hand?

Appearance: Move the tensioner arm (tensioner being mounted on the engine) through its entire range of motion with a wrench. There should be resistance to this movement. If there is none, the spring has lost its force. Other indicators are belt squeal from slippage, or loss of rotation of a belt-driven component.

Can a worn belt tensioner damage an alternator?

It’s just the opposite. A worn tensioner actually increases tension on the belt and that increased tension can damage the nose bearings on your AC compressor, power steering pump and alternator. Here’s why.

Where does the serpentine belt go on an alternator?

If you do not have a diagram on the vehicle or in your service manual laying out the direction your serpentine belt travels through the pulleys, take a picture of it with your phone to refer to when installing the new belt. A strictly alternator belt will likely only go around an alternator pulley and the crank pulley at the bottom of the engine.

How to replace alternator belt if air conditioner is broken?

How to replace alternator belt if the air conditioner is broken, you can use a short serpentine belt without air conditioning. How to replace alternator belt if the air conditioner is broken, you can use a short serpentine belt without air conditioning. Skip navigation Sign in Search Loading… Close This video is unavailable. Watch later Share

When to replace a serpentine belt tensioner?

Repair Topics > Belts Serpentine & Timing > When to replace serpentine… Let’s get this straight from the get-go, a serpentine belt tensioner doesn’t last the life of the vehicle. In fact, most start to show serious wear right around the 100K mile mark. You may think a worn tensioner just means your belt loses tension; you’d be wrong.

How to replace alternator belt if the air conditioner is broken, you can use a short serpentine belt without air conditioning. How to replace alternator belt if the air conditioner is broken, you can use a short serpentine belt without air conditioning. Skip navigation Sign in Search Loading… Close This video is unavailable. Watch later Share

What can cause an alternator belt to tighten?

Then check for an increase in the DC alternator load. Examples of this could be from 12-volt refrigeration, a 110-volt microwave powered by a battery-fed inverter, or even a wiring short that you’d probably find by seeing “arcing” (sparks or electrical discharge), a burning smell, or even fire.

How big should the belt be on a boat alternator?

As noted, typically a half-inch of play is about right, but check your manual. Snug all bolts and nuts you’ve loosened. Test run the engine with a load, such as a microwave drawing from an inverter or a DC refrigerator with large compressor. Expect the belt to loosen some with running.

How much should an alternator belt be deflected?

Typically the belt should depress no more than half an inch; but consult the manual as placement of thumb and distance of deflection may vary. Before beginning, disconnect the battery, and use a volt/ohm meter to confirm that no current is present.

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Ruth Doyle