Should The Tensioner Pulley Move? It’s normal for it to move a little. That is to say it’ll rotate on it’s pivot. Additionally, should a belt tensioner wobble? A bad belt tensioner spring will often cause the tension arm to bounce up and down with the cycling of the motor.
Should my tensioner be moving? 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.
Should a tensioner pulley wobble? 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. An excessively wobbling pulley can throw the belt off, causing all the accessories to quit functioning.
How tight should a tensioner pulley 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.
Should The Tensioner Pulley Move? – Related Questions
Is it bad to 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.
What does a bad 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.
Can a bad tensioner pulley cause overheating?
Another symptom of bad or failing drive belt tensioner is failure of the belt driven accessories. 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.
Should my idler pulley wiggle?
We said that the idler pulley should be able to route the engine drive belt in its correct loop. That is why if you look at the engine belt while the engine is running at idle, it should move smoothly along the system.
Why is my belt tensioner wobbling?
Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling
Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?
If you can turn it more than a 1/2 turn, you do not have enough tension on the belt. If you cannot turn it a 1/2 turn, you have too much tension on the belt. Over-tightened belts can cause internal damage to the bearings inside the pulleys. It can also cause overheating of the belts and premature wear.
Can you tighten an idler pulley too much?
If you really have to, you could put the socket on first, then put the torque wrench on. Otherwise you’ll never really know if it’s tight enough. Too tight is fine as long as the hydraulic tensioner stays within the range, but too loose and you will loose your head and maybe your bottom end.
Can belt tensioner cause misfire?
As the belt tensioner wears out, the fire rate of your engine may also be impacted. This can cause a cylinder in the engine to open or close before it should for normal car functioning, possibly causing an engine misfire.
What happens if the tensioner pulley fails?
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 does a bad idler pulley sound like?
When the grooves on the belts are not holding on to the pulleys, you will hear a noise coming from the engine. They will make a rattling sound if the bearings are worn out. They will remove the belt from the pulley and try to move it on their own.
How much does it cost to fix a tensioner pulley?
You will pay somewhere between $125 and $380 to have your tensioner pulley replaced. The labor should run between $45 and $155, while parts can cost as little as $85 or as much as $225.
How long does a tensioner pulley last?
An idler pulley is a simple device used to keep tension on an accessory belt. The pulley will fail eventually because it will wear over time. Replacement intervals for idler pulleys range from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
Can you drive without an idler pulley?
Idler pulleys are engine pulleys that are responsible for guiding and tensioning the engine drive belts. The idler pulley is an important component of the drive belt system of any car. Without it, you might not even be able to start your car, use your AC, and even steer the vehicle.
How much does it cost to replace the idler pulley?
The total price to replace the idler pulley typically ranges between $80 and $200, with the parts ranging between $40 and $90, and the total labor cost averaged between $40 and $110.
What does a bad cam chain tensioner sound like?
If you hear a rattling or scraping sound, with no other noise being emitted from the engine, it indicates a bad timing chain.
How long can you drive with a bad idler pulley?
So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley
When should I replace my tensioner pulley?
The drive belt tensioner can wear down over time, just due to normal wear and tear. It’s a good idea to have it inspected each time you have your belt system looked at. The goal is to replace it before it actually breaks down, and causes your vehicle to run less than perfectly.
