How Do You Change A Belt Tensioner?

1. Draw a sketch or take a picture of the belt routing.
2. Unload the belt from the tensioner by rotating the tensioner.
3. Remove the old tensioner from the engine.
4. Place the new tensioner on the engine.

How do I know if my tensioner is bad?

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.

How do you change a tensioner pulley?

The tensioner pulley is on the end of a spring-loaded tensioner. ... More often than not, just the pulley goes bad on the tensioner, not the whole tensioner, and for most vehicles, you can purchase and replace the pulley instead of the tensioner itself .

How do you remove a 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. ... When the belt ribs are seated into the pulley grooves, release the tensioner and you’re done.

Is it easy to replace 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.

Can you drive with a bad tensioner pulley?

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 change 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 belt 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.

How much does it cost to replace 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 you know when to replace a belt tensioner?

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.

What sound does a bad tensioner 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.

How do you release tension from a lockdown tensioner?

If equipped with a tensioner screw, back off the tensioner screw. Then, push the alternator toward the other pulleys, loosening the belt. To loosen an NAI tensioner, loosen the locking nut or bolt, then back off the tensioner screw. Push the pulley toward the other pulleys or accessories, loosening the belt.

How do you test a belt tensioner?

1. Listen for squealing noises within the engine when it is running. ...
2. Watch the belt and belt tensioner while the engine is running. ...
3. Turn off the engine. ...
4. Push down on the middle of the belt while the engine is off and the components are cool enough to touch.

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.

What happens when a tensioner goes out?

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 are the signs of a bad idler pulley?

• Squealing. When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound. ...
• Frozen. The bearings in a pulley may cause the pulley to freeze or in some cases hard to spin. ...
• Belt Travel. ...
• Pulley Mounting.