Pulley overheating is usually caused by the belt slipping in the pulley . If your battery is low or there is a greater load on the alternator it causes the alternator to be harder to drive which then places a greater strain on the belt to drive the pulley.
Should an alternator pulley get hot?
If the pulley still gets hot when the alternator is disconnected the problem is mechanical . If it stays cool, the problem is electrical.
How do I know if my alternator clutch pulley is bad?
If the internal clutch mechanism is bad, the pulley may slip and fail to drive the alternator , or it may remain locked all the time – increasing noise, vibration and stress on the belt drive system.
What happens when alternator pulley goes bad?
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.
Can a bad idler pulley cause overheating?
Like many automotive parts, the idler pulley becomes worn over time . The pulley spins against the belt wearing down both parts. ... This damage interferes with the rotation of the belt causing torn belts, or the belt falling off of the engine. Without a belt, stalling and overheating of the engine become commonplace.
Should an alternator be hot to the touch?
Alternator getting hot to the touch is normal , cables getting hot is not.
Does alternator come with pulley?
This reduces noise at idle and low engine speeds, and helps dampen harmonic vibrations at higher speeds. If the clutch or spring inside the pulley has failed, the pulley may fail to drive the alternator, or it may create vibrations and noise. ... Some replacement alternators come with pulleys and some do not .
How much is an alternator pulley?
There is an average cost for a drive belt idler pulley replacement. Labor costs are between 64 and $81 while parts are between $79 and $83 . Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
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 you jump a car with a bad alternator?
While jumpstarting a vehicle with a bad alternator may technically be possible , do not leave jumper cables connected between vehicles longer than necessary as it can result in damage to sensitive electronics.
Can a bad pulley cause loss of power?
Technically speaking, yes , an idler pulley will result in a slight power loss.
Can I drive with bad idler 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.
Can you bypass the idler pulley?
Yes you probably can get a shorter belt and route it to bypass that pulley. The only thing is the belt will most likely slip every time the A/C compressor clutch is engaged.
How much does it cost to fix an idler pulley?
There is an average cost for a drive belt idler pulley replacement. Labor costs are between 64 and $81 while parts are between $79 and $83. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
How can I cool my alternator?
One way to keep your alternator cool is to build a simple fiberglass shroud that, when fed by a fan and ducting, will supply cool air to the alternator. The classic equation of heat transfer: Q=UAdT simply indicates that the amount of heat transferred per unit area increases directly with the difference in temperature.
