A serpentine belt is used by the majority of the engines that are of later models in order to drive the accessories. These accessories include the power steering pump, air compressor, and alternator. When it comes to tensioning a serpentine belt, as opposed to v-belts, which are tensioned by rotating the brackets, a spring-loaded tensioner is used to guarantee that the belt remains loose. When the belt has reached the end of its useful life, the tensioner is unable to function properly because it is too lengthy. It is necessary for you to replace the belt in this scenario. A tensioner, on the other hand, is not immune to the effects of wear and strain. It is a component that is regarded to be a maintenance item, and it must be changed when it becomes worn out. In addition to changing the belt, you should also check the tensioner at the same time. doing a tensioner inspection Nine items should be looked for while examining the tensioner, and they are as follows: fractures and rusting In the event that you see rust flowing off the tensioner or observe evidence of rust between the tensioner arm and its base, this is an indication that the tensioner is likely to fail in a comparatively short amount of time. Additionally, it is important to search for tracks, since this will in turn cause the tensioner to fail. force exerted by a While the tensioner is being screwed into position, you may move it back and forth with the use of a wrench. If you have a tensioner wrench, this will be much simpler for you. You may tell that the spring is worn if you do not feel any resistance. Additional indications of a worn spring include a belt that makes a screeching sound and components that stop intermittently. bearings for pulleys Spin the tensioner pulley after you have removed the belt from the vehicle. The spinning motion should be smooth, and there should be no audible noise. It is possible that the bearings in the pulley have worn out if you come across any noise or if the pulley does not spin freely. Never only replace the pulley on the tensioner; it is important to replace the complete tensioner since other components of the tensioner may be just as worn. degraded pulley The pulley that is attached to the tensioner might be constructed out of plastic, nylon, or steel. It is possible for the surface of the car to be grooved or flat, depending on the type of the vehicle. A thorough inspection of the pulley should be performed to verify that it is free of any dents, cracks, or chips, and that there is no debris lodged in the grooves of the pulley. Make sure that the high points of the groove are not worn, and check to see that the high sidewalls of the plastic pulleys are not fractured or cracked. alignment It is possible that the tensioner is not properly positioned or that it was not placed correctly if the belt is not tracking properly on the tensioner. Ensure that the belt is correctly installed and that it is not misaligned, since this might be the result of another pulley being out of alignment. The diagnosis of this work is made considerably simpler by the use of an alignment tool. arm for tensioning It is important to ensure that the tensioner arm may travel back and forth without becoming stuck or grinding. Although a box wrench may be used in certain situations, a tensioner wrench is the most convenient tool to utilize for this activity. It is possible that the tensioner arm is not correctly aligned if you see smooth, glossy streaks on the housing of the tensioner or on the arm. This indicates that the belt is rubbing against the housing. If there is an excessive amount of movement in either or both directions of the tensioner arm, then the spring torque or the damping system is compromised. Check the alternator pulley if this is a problem, since a failure in that component might be the source of this issue. Both the alternator and the tensioner will need to be replaced by you after this. noise When the tensioner makes a rattling or squeaking sound, it indicates that either the bearings are breaking down or the pivot region is worn out. Please replace the tensioner. In the event that you see any of these issues, with the exception of a belt misalignment that is brought on by another component, you will be required to replace the tensioner. The majority of the time, replacing is simple. The tensioner should be loosened, and the belt should be removed from the tensioner pulley only if the belt is in excellent condition. The bolts that are holding the tensioner to the block should be removed. Before you install the new tensioner, you should make sure that it is free of any flaws by doing a thorough inspection. Put it in place on the block. Turn the tensioner so that it is pointing toward the middle of the block, and then put the belt onto it. Examine each of the pulleys to ensure that the belt is properly aligned. The official website of auto parts university may be found at autopartsu.com. In order to assist visitors, this website offers information on a variety of automobile components, along with in-depth evaluations. The content of the website assists users in locating the appropriate solution for car components. This site offers articles that cover a wide range of topics, including general information, technical guidance articles, general information, and articles that give specific information on vehicle parts and features. 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