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Re: Belt Tensioner Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 24 Feb 2005 06:04:42
In Reply to: Belt Tensioner, T. Christopher, Thu, 24 Feb 2005 05:33:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I agree with Lawrence - your tensioner is probably shot. I've never had a belt issue.
First, I assume that you have the single-belt 'self-adjusting' tensioner. The earlier two-belt system had a manual adjustment.
The shock on the self-adjusting system serves two purposes - applying pressure and damping. The pressure is via nothing more than a big spring. The shock also provides damping - effectively, the spring constant increase with increased speed (of compression or expansion). So when the A/C kicks in and puts a big load on the belt, instead of the shock bouncing like a spring, it should move smoothly to the new load position.
Watch the belt while the engine runs. First off, make sure that the belt is running in the center of the tensioner idler pulley. Off to one side is not acceptable. Misalignment can be due to a bad tensioner pulley, the pulley bracket pulling away from the engine, or a disintegrating main pulley (Harmonic balancer). The tensioner pulley should be 'jiggling' slightly - less than 1/8 inch. Put a big load on - like switching on the A/C. The tensioner pulley will move to a new location - for an added load, move backwards. It should move quickly and smoothly to the new position, with NO overshoot or bouncing. At the new location it should resume the same 1/8 or less inch of jiggle. If the pulley overshoots and comes back, and finally settles on a new location, the tensioner is shot.
Look for signs of leaking fluid on the tensioner, also.
The tensioner piston itself can be replaced as a part, or you can replace the entire bracket.
posted by 192.249....
, Thu, 24 Feb 2005 06:04:42 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:49:23
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