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 I know if my tensioner pulley needs to be replaced?
Appearance: Cycle the tensioner (mounted on the engine) through the entire range of motion (from stop to stop) by applying torque to the arm with a wrench. The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.
Use the extension/breaker bar on the grooved pulley tensioner arm, rotate the tensioner counter clockwise to remove the pin/bolt. Slowly allow the tensioner to rotate in a clockwise direction until the tensioner reaches the low stop. Remove the three bolts that attach the tensioner to the engine.
What tool do I use to loosen a tensioner pulley?
Can a tensioner pulley be replaced? – Related Questions
How long does it take to replace a tensioner pulley?
If you are doing the job at home, give yourself about four hours to change all the parts. You will need the following tools and parts: Replacement idler pulley. Tensioner pulley.
Do you tighten or loosen a tensioner pulley?
Replacing the Tensioner Pulley. Loosen the tension on the belt. If the belt is intact and your vehicle comes equipped with a tensioner pulley, you may not be able to tighten the belt without replacing the tensioner. Most tensioners are installed using only one bolt.
How do you loosen a tensioner bolt?
How do you use a tensioner pulley tool?
How do I loosen the alternator belt?
Disconnect the car battery and loosen the auto-tensioner using either a breaker bar or a socket wrench. Once the tension is released, slide the belt off the pulleys. Get the new alternator belt and run it through the pulleys in the same way as the old belt, snaking it around the alternator pulley last.
How do you measure belt tension without a gauge?
Checking the belt tension
Use a ruler to find the mid-point on the belt’s longest run between pulleys. Use a ruler to find the midway point on the belt’s longest run between pulleys. Hold the belt between finger and thumb at this point and move it from side to side. See how much it deflects at the centre of the run.
Common belt tensioning methods are to measure belt tension by deflection, to measure belt tension by frequency, and to use a Tension Finder™.
What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
As these belts wear out, they can begin to squeak or squeal. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn’t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
How do I know if my serpentine belt is tight enough?
Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth.The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
How do you know if a pulley is misaligned?
Unexpected noise: A squealing noise often indicates slippage between the belts and the pulleys. A chirping sound could stem from misalignment of a pulley or drive belt, as well as a host of other issues. Tensile failure: A common indicator of misalignment, tensile failure may be due to uneven cord loading.
How many years does a serpentine belt last?
The serpentine belt “snakes” around several components of the engine, transferring mechanical power to nearly every critical part. Under normal conditions, the belt needs to be replaced every 4 to 6 years.
Can a tight serpentine belt cause loss of power?
Yes, it could. Bad serpentine belts cause loss of power. Especially in situations where slippage occurs and the alternator supplies power to the ECM. In such conditions, the alternator cannot provide the required electrical charge, and as a result, there is a drop in the voltage.
A bad belt tensioner can also lead to the alternator failing to function as designed. The engine’s alternator is meant to power the automobile’s electrical system and also charge the battery while the vehicle is operating.
What happens if serpentine belt breaks while driving?
This can lead to a sudden lost of power assist for the steering system, leading to the steering wheel all-of-a-sudden becoming very hard to turn. A broken serpentine belt may stop the water pump from circulating coolant through the cooling system, causing the engine can overheat.
How do you test a belt tensioner?
What causes tensioner pulley to break?
The most common causes of timing belt tensioner failure include: Wear and tear: On a new mechanical timing belt tensioner system, the timing belt tensioner spring is wound tightly by two tension rods. Over time, the spring stretches out and loses its tension. As a result, the entire tensioner becomes too weak.