Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?

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.

How do you adjust a tensioner on a car?

Locate the adjuster bolt on the belt tensioner used to secure the serpentine belt, and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the adjuster bolt with a racthet and socket while you simultaneously move the belt back and forth gently to find the proper tension.

How do you tighten a timing belt tensioner pulley?

To even out the tension in the belt, use a spanner or socket wrench on the crankshaft-pulley bolt and turn the crankshaft two full turns clockwise . Tighten the locking bolt first to hold the tensioner in its new position. Tighten the pivot-spring bolt, which has a precise torque setting.

What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?

• Rust bleed and cracks. Appearance: Rust is bleeding between arm and base or dripping from the tensioner.
• Pulley bearing wear.
• Pulley wear.
• Tensioner assembly misalignment.
• Tensioner noise.
• Tensioner arm misalignment.
• Excessive tensioner arm oscillation.
• Binding or grinding tensioner arm movement.

How long can you drive with a bad tensioner pulley?

So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises. The car can still run for months or break after a few days.

What does a bad tensioner pulley sound like?

1. Chattering, Squealing, or Chirping Sound. If you hear a chattering, chirping, or squealing noise in the car, it’s likely from a bad belt or from a seized or loose bearing in the pulley.

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 happens when a pulley goes bad?

A broken or seized pulley can quickly lead to a torn belt, or in less serious cases, the belt falling off of the engine. An engine without a belt can quickly run into issues such as overheating and stalling, as it’s the drive belt that allows the engine accessories to function.

How often should you replace the idler pulley?

An idler pulley is expected to wear over time, and eventually the pulley will fail. Replacement intervals for idler pulleys vary, but are usually within the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range. Replacement often coincides with expected serpentine/accessory belt replacement periods.

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.

Can I spray wd40 on my pulleys?

And yes, its OK to use since the bearings are prelubed and sealed on each of the idlers, tensioner and alt bearings. If it stops squeeking when its sprayed then it lubed it enough to stop it and then it shows the seal has failed, or bearing is failing and has dryed up the bearing.

Can you spray wd40 on idler pulley?

WD-40 will dry out quick! If it is your belt the cause of the noise, spraying WD-40 on your belt will also temporarily stop the noise. Spraying the pulley with WD-40 may stop the noise.