Can You Over Tighten A Pulley?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A belt shouldn’t be over-tightened

. Any bearing that the belt rotates on can be burned out by an over-tightened belt. A pulley bearing can be ruined by an over-tightened timing belt.

How tight should a tensioner pulley be?

The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should

not deflect more than 1⁄2 inch when twisted either way from the middle

. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.

Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?


If you can turn it more than a 1/2 turn, you do not have enough tension on the belt

. Over-tightened belts can cause internal damage to the bearings inside the pulleys. … It can also cause overheating of the belts and premature wear.

Can you tighten a loose tensioner pulley?

Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt

How tight should a belt tensioner be?

The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should

not deflect more than 1⁄2 inch when twisted either way from the middle

. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.

How do you tighten a loose pulley?

Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt is loose enough to remove. Tighten the tensioner pulley by

turning the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is tight

.

How do you tighten a timing belt tensioner pulley?

To even out the tension in the belt, use a spanner or socket wrench on the crankshaft-pulley bolt and turn the crankshaft two full turns clockwise . Tighten the locking bolt first to hold the tensioner in its new position. Tighten

the pivot-spring bolt

, which has a precise torque setting.

How much does it cost to fix a tensioner pulley?

It will cost

between $125 and $380

to have your pulley replaced. The labor should cost between $45 and $155 and the parts should cost between $85 and $225.

What does a bad tensioner sound like?

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. Symptom 2: Knocking or slapping. … This can cause a slapping or knocking noise.

When should I replace my tensioner pulley?


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 is bad?

  • Rust bleed and cracks. Appearance: Rust is bleeding between arm and base or dripping from the tensioner. …
  • Pulley bearing wear. …
  • Pulley wear. …
  • Tensioner assembly misalignment. …
  • Tensioner noise. …
  • Tensioner arm misalignment. …
  • Excessive tensioner arm oscillation. …
  • Binding or grinding tensioner arm movement.

Is belt tensioner supposed to move?

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.

Can you adjust automatic belt tensioner?

Cars equipped with an

automatic belt tensioner adjust themselves over time and do not require adjustment

. This article shows you the process to adjust drive belts on a pivot-style belt adjuster. Warning: Drive belts that are cracked or excessively worn should be replaced.

Which way do you turn a tensioner pulley?

Rotate the pulley on the belt tensioner

counterclockwise

to relieve the tension of the belt with the proper sized socket and ratchet.

How do you tighten a belt that’s too big?

  1. Put the belt around your waist (make sure it is tight).
  2. Loop the end through the regular opening.
  3. Loop it under the rest of the belt around your waist…
  4. And then back over and through the hole formed by this process.
  5. Fix the pin.

What does a loose serpentine belt sound like?

A loose drive belt will often be noisy,

squeaking a bit, or emitting a high-pitched squeal

. The most obvious sign of a loose drive belt, though, is in its appearance and tension. … Belts are used to rotate components on the engine assembly, such as a coolant pump (water pump).

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.