Is the tensioner pulley supposed to 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.

Is it normal for tensioner pulley supposed 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.

How tight is the tensioner pulley supposed to be?

When twisted either way from the middle, the tension in the belt must not be more than 12 inch. The belt is too tight if it is twisted more. The positions do not work for the vehicle.

Can you over tighten a tensioner 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.

Why is my tensioner shaking?

Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling

In general, belt tensioners tend to get noisy when they fail. If your belt tensioner is chirping or makes other noises, it is often an indication that the part is old and needs to be replaced. You can even remove the belt, spin each pulley, and listen for rumbling or other noises.

DIY: Ilder/Tensioner Pulley Troubleshooting

How do you know if your serpentine belt tensioner is bad?

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.

Should all pulley spin freely?

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. The air conditioning compressor has a clutch on it that should spin freely as well but it will not be rotating the internals of the compressor.

How much play should a serpentine belt have?

Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth. The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.

How tight should a belt be on a motor?

For most vehicles, the belt should not be able to be pressed down more than ½ inch. If it can be pressed lower, then the belt is too loose.

Is the belt tensioner supposed to spin?

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.

Does the idler pulley move?

Excessively Loose Idler Pulley

If the pulley is excessively loose and there is a lot of play after wiggling it back and forth, it needs to be replaced. A normal pulley in good condition will only move slightly.

When should I replace my tensioner pulley?

You should expect to replace your belt tensioner in the 40,000-70,000 mile range. It is also customary to swap more than one part simultaneously, usually a worn-out pulley from other systems and even the serpentine belt itself.

Can you over tighten a serpentine belt?

An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.

Should an idler pulley spin?

Like many automotive parts, the idler pulley becomes worn over time. The pulley spins against the belt wearing down both parts. This wear reduces tension which can lead to belt slippage. Even more noticeable is a cracked or damaged pulley or bearing.

What happens when your belt tensioner is bad?

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 a belt tensioner cause rough idle?

Yes, a timing belt can cause rough idle. Timing belt controls the opening and closing of engine valves at a precise time interval through various types of mechanisms like cams, gears, linkages, etc.

What happens if the tensioner pulley fails?

When a timing belt tensioner fails, it loses tension. As a result, the timing belt becomes loose and the valve timing can be thrown off. This leads to engine performance issues. So if any suspicion arises that the timing belt tensioner has failed, it's important to check the tensioner and replace it if necessary.

Is idler pulley same as tensioner?

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. However, the differences between idler pulleys and tensioners also extend to purpose.

How long do tensioner pulleys last?

The Owner's Manual Says that It is Time

Most modern cars that roll off the dealer's lot as a new vehicle will have a 60,000 to 100,000-mile life expectancy for the serpentine belt, tensioners, and idler pulleys.