Diyvehiclerepair
A tensioner maintains the correct amount of tension on the belt at all times throughout its duty cycle. It also helps protect other components such as the alternator and water pump from undue stress and premature failure. In addition, a tensioner is a relatively inexpensive part to replace.
- What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?
- How much does it cost to replace a belt tensioner?
- Is it safe to drive with a bad belt tensioner?
- What happens if you don't replace belt tensioner?
- What causes tensioner to fail?
- How long does a belt tensioner last?
- Can a belt tensioner leak?
- How long does it take to replace a tensioner pulley?
- Can I drive without belt tensioner?
- Is it hard to replace a belt tensioner?
- What happens if your tensioner breaks?
- What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
- How do I know if I need to replace my serpentine belt?
- Where is the tensioner located?
- Should I replace idler pulley and tensioner?
What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?
One of the most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started.
How much does it cost to replace a belt tensioner?
To get the belt tensioner replaced, you will pay anywhere from $140 to almost $400. The price of parts and labor varies from one car to the next, with most labor costs coming in at about $70 or $80.
Is it safe to drive with a bad belt tensioner?
Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.
What happens if you don't replace belt tensioner?
Sometimes, the mechanism will weaken or seize up from repetitive use. Other times, the pulley itself can warp, crack, or throw a bearing. This often results in a noticeable squeaking noise from the front of the engine. When this happens, the belt can slip, which will cause damage or weaken it much faster.
What causes tensioner to fail?
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.
How long does a belt tensioner last?
Most modern cars that roll off the dealer's lot as a new vehicle will have a 60,000 to 100,000-mile life expectancy for the serpentine belt, tensioners, and idler pulleys.
Can a belt tensioner leak?
Problems with hydraulic belt tensioner.
It too can fail. Symptoms include a leak from the tensioner or a rattling noise from the belt area when the engine is running. This item is common to fail in many cars including Toyota Corolla, Matrix, BMW and Mazda cars. The fix is the same; a bad tensioner must be replaced.
How long does it take to replace a tensioner pulley?
What Is Tensioner Pulley Replacement? Replacing the pulley should only take an hour or two, and the parts will vary in cost from one type of car to the next.
Can I drive without belt tensioner?
When the tensioner fails, the serpentine belt will slip off and break. When this happens, the alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor will stop working. Since there is no belt turning the pulley, the battery light will turn on, and steering will be difficult. The AC compressor will also stop working as well.
Is it hard to replace a belt tensioner?
Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today's automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.
What happens if your tensioner breaks?
When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise.
What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
Although there are a few causes of a squealing engine, one of the most common is a bad or failing serpentine belt. ... Belt squeaking is also especially pronounced when accelerating, on startup, and when making a U-turn. The noise is loud and sounds like a squeal, loud chirp, or squeak.
How do I know if I need to replace my serpentine belt?
The easiest way to know that a new serpentine belt is needed is if you hear it squealing while the engine is running. A heavy rainstorm might cause a bit of squealing, but if there are any fluid leaks, it's time to replace it right away.
Where is the tensioner located?
The belt tensioner is on the front of the engine, between the crankshaft and alternator pulleys.
Should I replace idler pulley and tensioner?
If there is any wobble, squeak, or undue friction, the idler pulley should be replaced. The best way to maximize the idler pulley's lifespan is to maintain proper tension on the serpentine belt and replace belts with new ones whenever required.
