What does a loose tensioner sound like?

You would hear a knocking sound if the timing belt goes loose due to a bad tensioner since the connected parts would start hitting the belt cover. If you can hear a chirping sound, the tensioner's pulley is bad.

What does a loose timing chain tensioner sound like?

There is a rattling sound. A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain with loose parts within the engine, will produce a rattling sound when your car is idling. This rattling sound is typically most prominent while the engine heats up and disappears after some time.

What does a broken 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.

Can you drive with a loose 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.

What does a loose pulley in a car sound like?

When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound. This is due to the bearings in the pulley going bad. The bearings may also make various other sounds such as clattering or even a rumbling sound, making the vehicle sound as if there was much more wrong than a bad pulley.

How does a faulty Timing Belt Tensioner sound like?? Car engine ticking skips less power rough idle

How do I know if my tensioner is bad?

One of 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.

Can tensioner pulley make noise?

If any tensioner pulley begins to wear out with time, it'll create more of a chirping noise. You'll also hear the chirping noise if the pulley grooves are damaged. This happens over the years due to friction, leading to cracks in the belt.

How much does it cost to replace 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. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.

Should belt tensioner wobble at idle?

Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling

A wobbling belt tensioner can result from many different causes. 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.

What problems can a bad tensioner cause?

Many of the engine's accessories, such as the alternator, water pump, and AC compressor, can be belt driven. A seized or loose drive belt tensioner can cause the belt to snap, which will disables those accessories and can cause problems such as overheating, a dead electrical system and battery, or a disabled AC system.

How do you test a tensioner?

How do I know if my serpentine belt is loose?

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.

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 is the rattling sound when I accelerate?

You usually hear this noise when accelerating the vehicle. Most people call this a pinging or rattling sound. This noise is caused by an air/fuel mixture in the engine cylinder being ignited prematurely by the heat of compression as the piston is moving up on the compression stroke.

What is a rattling noise?

A rattling is a quick, often unsteady, burst of sounds. The sound of a rattlesnake is a good example of a rattling.

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.

What happens if you don't replace belt tensioner?

Over time, the belt tensioner will lose its capacity to apply tension to the serpentine belt. Sometimes, the mechanism will weaken or seize up from repetitive use. Other times, the pulley itself can warp, crack, or throw a bearing. This often results in a noticeable squeaking noise from the front of the engine.

How long does it take to fix a tensioner?

Introduction. Automatic belt tensioners, standard in most cars now, make changing a serpentine belt a simple DIY repair. Follow the clear photos and step-by-step instructions and you'll be done in 15 minutes.

How long does it take to change a tensioner pulley?

If you are doing the job at home, give yourself about four hours to change all the parts. You will need the following tools and parts: Replacement idler pulley. Tensioner pulley.

How do you know if you have a bad idler pulley?

Without a belt, stalling and overheating of the engine become commonplace. For auditory cues, squealing noise from the engine belt can be a tell-tale sign. As the pulley wears, the engine belt may squeal as it rubs against the surface of the pulley. The issue will worsen with time.

Can a pulley make a whining noise?

Damaged or worn pulley bearings may cause a whining noise as the pulleys spin. In cases like these, it's generally best to replace the pulley or pulleys entirely.

Can a bad belt tensioner cause rough idle?

Yes, a timing belt can cause rough idle.