Why does my pulley make a noise when I spin it?
Why does my pulley make a noise when I spin it?
If there’s evidence of glazing on the pulley surface, the belt has been slipping on it. Spin the tensioner pulley by hand and listen to it. If the bearing is good, the pulley will spin freely, straight and true, without any noise. If that’s not the case, you have a bad bearing and must replace the tensioner.
How to troubleshoot a tensioner pulley noise?
Rotate the tensioner counterclockwise just far enough to slip the serpentine belt off the pulley closest to the belt (or pulley easiest for you to reach, depending on what kind of vehicle you’re working on). Rotate the tensioner back into position. Shine the flashlight on the tensioner pulley and examine the pulley face.
How can you tell if a tensioner pulley is glazing?
Shine the flashlight on the tensioner pulley and examine the pulley face. If there’s evidence of glazing on the pulley surface, the belt has been slipping on it.
What kind of pulley does a car use?
Most modern vehicles use a serpentine belt to run the engine accessories such as the power steering, air conditioning and alternator. The belt routes around the pulleys in a serpent-like manner, hence the name.
Why does my pulley make a noise when I start the car?
The pulley itself has an outer ring and an inner bearing. If the pulley is making noise, either it’s the result of a bearing failure or the spring is not providing the proper tension. Start your vehicle, leave the transmission in park, set the parking brake and open the hood.
Rotate the tensioner counterclockwise just far enough to slip the serpentine belt off the pulley closest to the belt (or pulley easiest for you to reach, depending on what kind of vehicle you’re working on). Rotate the tensioner back into position. Shine the flashlight on the tensioner pulley and examine the pulley face.
Shine the flashlight on the tensioner pulley and examine the pulley face. If there’s evidence of glazing on the pulley surface, the belt has been slipping on it.
Most modern vehicles use a serpentine belt to run the engine accessories such as the power steering, air conditioning and alternator. The belt routes around the pulleys in a serpent-like manner, hence the name.
