The cost to replace the idler pulley of your driver belt will usually be somewhere between $80 and $200. The cost for the new part should only be anywhere from $40 to $90, while the cost of the labor will be anywhere from $40 to $110. These prices do not include added taxes and fees charged by the auto shop.
How do you know if your car pulley is bad?
With that being said, here are a few of the most common symptoms you can use to determine the condition of your timing belt pulleys.
- Shaky, or Otherwise Incumbered Belt Motion.
- Visible Wear On Your Pulleys.
- Belt “Squealing” or “Whining” Noises.
- Knocking or Slapping Noises.
- Damaged Bearings or Pulleys.
What pulleys does a car have?
There are two main types of car pulleys: crank pulleys, and accessory pulleys. Most pulleys are driven by a main crank pulley, which is bolted onto the crankshaft. When the engine is operating, the crank pulley rotates, transferring motion to the other pulleys by means of the serpentine belt or v belt.
What happens if a pulley fails?
Damaged bearing or pulley
A broken or seized pulley can quickly lead to a torn belt, or in less serious cases, the belt falling off of the engine. An engine without a belt can quickly run into issues such as overheating and stalling, as it’s the drive belt that allows the engine accessories to function.
How much does it cost to replace a car pulley? – Related Questions
Can I drive my car with a broken pulley?
So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises. The car can still run for months or break after a few days.
How long does it take to replace a pulley?
A typical crankshaft pulley replacement usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours. While not a complicated process for an experienced mechanic, there are factors with specific models that make access or replacement trickier than others.
What causes a pulley to fail?
All components come with a recommended torque which should be checked before the parts are tightened. If the belt tension is too strong or the auxiliary equipment has failed, the pulley will also fail. The cause is linked to the coupling having made contact with the flywheel rim.
What causes pulley to break?
Improper Tension
If a belt is not tensioned properly, it will ride too loose or too tight on the pulley. A belt that’s too loose on a pulley will cause slippage, which leads to heat build up from friction. This heat will damage your rubber belts and cause the belts to crack and break.
What happens when you have a bad idler pulley?
Because of this two things can happen. First, the pulley can get stuck and interrupt the motion of the belt. Second, the belt may fall out of place and rub against the surface of the pulley. In either of these cases, the bad pulley will produce a loud squealing noise that is hard to miss.
What happens when a alternator pulley goes out?
A short chirp noise during engine start-up or shut down is most likely caused by a worn overrunning alternator pulley. A worn overrunning alternator pulley often blocks and performs like a solid pulley. This will cause the belt to slip across the pulley surface during belt and alternator speed fluctuations.
Can a bad pulley cause alternator problems?
If the idler pulley fails completely, the serpentine belt will likely come off, causing the engine-driven accessories (i.e., alternator, air conditioning compressor, etc.) to stop working.
What does it sound like when an alternator goes out?
A grinding or whining sound is a tell-tale sign of a bad alternator. Even a small rattling sound coming from the engine can be an indicator that your alternator is failing. Most sounds from the alternator are caused by a loose bearing.
Does a new alternator come with a pulley?
There is nearly no failure from the pulley and the most typical reason to remove it is to place it on a replacement alternator, as that seldom comes with a pulley installed.
Can you repair alternator pulley?
In many cases it is possible to remove and install the overrunning alternator pulley while the alternator is still on the engine. The plastic protective cap cannot be re-used after it has been removed from the pulley. A replacement cap is supplied with the new part.
What is the average cost to replace an alternator?
Alternators can average anywhere from $100 to $350 depending on make and model. Most vehicles will have an average cost between $350-400 for the total job of an alternator replacement if no other parts need to be replaced. If the serpentine belt is included in the process, add another $20 to $50 to your bill.
Can a bad alternator destroy a new battery?
A faulty alternator could ruin a perfectly healthy battery, which would put you further back from a solution than where you started. Don’t fret as diagnosing your vehicle’s electrical problem is so easy that anyone can do it by running these tests.
What kills an alternator?
Running in full charge mode continuously can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.
What can drain a car battery when the car is off?
What may drain a car battery when it’s off are things such as interior lights, door lights, or even bad relays. While your engine runs, the alternator recharges the battery — which is why you typically don’t have to worry about the battery dying while you’re blasting the radio on your drive to work!
What can drain a car battery overnight?
This can be a result of various factors including the number one cause which is leaving headlights, glove box lights, or cabin lights on overnight. Parasitic drain can also be caused by defective fuses, bad wiring, and poor installation of a new car battery.
How long should a car battery last?
Some cars will get up to five or six years out of their battery, while others will need a new one after only two years. In general, your car will usually need a new battery after three to four years. Replacing your car battery is another part of routine maintenance.