1.
Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner
. 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.
What happens when the tensioner goes bad?
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.
How do you test a belt tensioner?
- Listen for squealing noises within the engine when it is running. …
- Watch the belt and belt tensioner while the engine is running. …
- Turn off the engine. …
- Push down on the middle of the belt while the engine is off and the components are cool enough to touch.
How do you diagnose a bad tensioner?
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.
What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?
- 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.
What does a bad tensioner sound like?
A defective belt tensioner is generally noisy. This sound may be some form of
squeaking or hissing coming
from the time coverage area. A loose timing belt also causes handling problems, usually under heavy load or at high speed.
What causes a tensioner to fail?
Dirt or mud can also jam the tensioner housing.
A loose or worn pivot arm can allow unwanted movement
; that results in belt noise and misalignment. Over time, this will increase belt wear and lead to premature belt failure. A worn bushing in the tensioner pulley, can cause vibrations and noise.
Can I drive with a bad 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.
How much does it cost to fix a belt tensioner?
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt and tensioner? The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is
between $211 and $239
. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.
How do I fix my tensioner?
If you have a manual belt tensioner, this is an easy fix. Simply use a wrench to adjust the tension to the proper level. If the drive belt shows any wear, it should be replaced. If you have a bad spring or hydraulic drive belt tensioner, it is not
repairable
.
When should I replace my 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.
What does it sound like when a serpentine belt goes bad?
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 my tensioner pulley bearing is bad?
Listen for a
fluttering” noise while driving or while the car is idling
. This indicates the tensioner is too loose. Other noises such as squealing or whirling from the front of the engine mean the spring inside the tensioner is weakening. In this case, the belt tensioner needs to be replaced.
How do I quiet a noisy belt tensioner?
WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs. In most cases, removing the moisture will stop the squeal. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes, then
spray rubber dressing
, also known as belt dressing, onto the belt in the same manner employed above.
What noise does a bad pulley make?
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.
Can a bad tensioner cause engine vibration?
It's necessary to get rid of the tensioner
. Timing belts as well as other belts which are loose or cracked can cause parts to not move or transform a regular rate of speed which can lead to vibration from the car's engine. …
