How often should you replace your serpentine belt tensioner?
How often should you replace your serpentine belt tensioner?
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.
How do you tighten up a serpentine belt?
Another tensioner pulley uses a square-faced bolt for adjustment, and a third uses a large tab that can be set to a certain position for proper belt tightness. To remove an old serpentine belt, or to tighten up a new one, the tensioner bolt on the tensioner pulley is turned until proper tightness is achieved.
Can a serpentine belt be replaced without going to the shop?
It’s a crucial part of the engine assembly—here are step-by-step instructions for replacing your serpentine belt without bringing your car to the shop. This belt, obviously past its prime, ran for 115,000 miles, and it was still within the tension limits specified. It’s toast, regardless.
How did the serpentine belt get its name?
The serpentine belt is aptly named for the way it snakes around the pulleys inside the engine bay. This long, winding rubber belt powers many of the important systems of your vehicle by transferring power from the engine’s crankshaft to the accessory pulleys.
Where do I find the serpentine belt routing diagram?
Find the serpentine belt routing diagram. Many cars come with a sticker in the engine bay that shows exactly how the serpentine belt is supposed to be routed through the various pulleys on the engine. If your vehicle does not have a sticker, you will need to find another way to remember how the belt should be run.
What’s the best way to change a serpentine belt?
Use your ratchet and socket to rotate the belt tensioner to relieve tension on the belt… and slip the belt off one of the pulleys. If you need more leverage, use a breaker bar. If your vehicle has a manual tensioner, you’ll tighten the bolt to keep it in place once tension is relieved.
Where is the tension screw on a serpentine belt?
Step 1 Open the hood and locate the adjustment screw that controls tension on the serpentine belt. This screw is typically a wing-nut located near the alternator and is in plain view. Place the socket end of the socket wrench over the wing-nut and turn clockwise to apply tension.
Why does my O’Reilly serpentine belt slip?
If the tensioner isn’t supplying enough tension, or if the serpentine belt is worn down, the belt may slip and create excessive heat or belt noise. Keep in mind that the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys were designed as a system.
What happens if a serpentine belt goes bad?
The serpentine belt in most modern vehicles transfers power from the crank pulley to the various accessories mounted on the engine. A worn or damaged serpentine belt can fail to adequately transfer the power, leaving your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning failing to function.
