Is it normal for belt tensioner to move?

The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.

Is a tensioner pulley supposed to shake?

If the tensioner pulley wobbles on its shaft, it means the interior shaft bearings have worn. This will cause a pulley misalignment. Bad bearings cause an audible growling noise. The outer ends of the serpentine belt will fray and stretch the belt.

Should a belt tensioner bounce at idle?

Absolutely you'll see it bouncing slightly. The reason is, the belt will stretch and contract slightly as the engine speeds up/slows down. The tensioner provides two different functions: Provides tension to keep the serpentine belt tight during operation.

Is the tensioner pulley supposed to spin?

Checking the Tensioner

Spin the pulley to see if it spins freely. If you hear grinding or the pulley doesn't spin freely, replace the tensioner. When you replace the belt, it should take a lot of muscle power to move the tensioner. If you can move it easily, the spring tension is most likely not tight enough.

How do I know if my serpentine belt tensioner is bad?

The symptoms of a loose serpentine belt include a loud squealing noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side. A serpentine belt that keeps slipping off the pulley is another symptom of a bad tensioner. The solution is to replace a serpentine belt and a belt tensioner.

How to Diagnose a Loose or Stuck Belt Tensioner on Your Car or Truck

Should my belt tensioner bounce?

It is important to note that any abnormal chattering or bouncing of the tensioner arm under normal operation indicates the tensioner has already failed and should be replaced.

Why is my tensioner shaking?

Why Is My Belt Tensioner Shaking? Wobbling of Belt Tensioners When belt tensioners fail, they tend to get noisy. It is often an indication that the belt tensioner is worn out and needs to be replaced if it chirps or makes other noises.

Are all pulleys supposed to move?

The only pulleys you should be able to turn by hand when the serpentine belt is not in place are: the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump pulleys.

Can you over tighten an idler pulley?

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 often should belt tensioners be replaced?

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 happens when your belt tensioner is bad?

If the tensioner's wear leads to the belt fully dislodging, likely through seizing, each of the components that rely on the belt for power will be lost. This means your vehicle's air conditioning, alternator, smog equipment, water pump, and power steering will be lost if the belt dislodges.

Why is my idler pulley vibrating?

Grinding and rumbling noises are also common signs of tensioner or idler pulley failure, which are usually caused by bearings failing. A worn-out coil spring can also cause excessive tensioner movement, which can result in excessive vibration and rattling on the drive belt.

Can a serpentine belt cause vibration?

Misadjusted or worn out timing belt and other belts just as the serpentine belt can cause engine vibrations. If these belts have become loose or worn out then they can also cause other parts of your engine such as fans to not operate properly – resulting in strange noises and shaking.

Is idler pulley same as tensioner?

Tensioners: The Main Differences Explained. The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt.

What happens when idler pulley goes bad?

If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley. In some instances a bad pulley may bind or slip and cause the belt to squeal when the engine is first started.

How do I know if my pulley is bad?

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.

Can a timing belt cause a car to shake?

Improper Timing Belt

Any issues with the timing belt can cause your car's engine to vibrate. Fans and other belt-driven components will not function properly when the timing belt is damaged or loose, thus resulting in shakes and rattling sounds.

What does the idler pulley do?

The idler pulley is a common part that's found on the majority of the vehicles on the road. Its primary function is to provide tension and guide the engine drive belt. These belts wrap around the various parts of the engine such as the power steering pump, alternator, water pump etc...