How do you measure tension on a belt?
Measuring belt tension with the Gates Sonic Tension Meter:
- Belt tension is measured by plucking the belt span while holding a sensor close by.
- Belt tension is adjusted until the belt span frequency, or measured tension level is within manufacturer’s recommendations.
What is belt tension ratio?
The tension in the “Tight Side” can be called “T1”. This is the effective tension ratio between the tight and loose sides of the belt. For a belt drive between pulleys of different diameters, the angle of contact of the smaller pulley should be used.
What is effective belt tension?
This effective tension, Te, is the force transmitted from the driver pulley to the belt and to the driven pulley or load: where T1 and T2 = tight and slackside tensions. The effective tension or working force generated at the driver pulley overcomes the driven pulley’s resistance to motion.
How do you set drive belt tension?
Loosen the belt adjustment bolt. Step 2: Adjust the drive belt tension. With both the drive belt pivot bolt and adjuster lock bolt loose, slowly tighten the adjustment bolt to achieve the desired tightness. Note: Tightening the adjustment bolt makes the belt tighter and loosening the bolt will make the belt looser.
How tight should car belts be?
Place the ruler along the longest stretch of belt on the vehicle, and push down on the belt. While pushing down, measure how far down the belt goes. For most vehicles, the belt should not be able to be pressed down more than ½ inch. If it can be pressed lower, then the belt is too loose.
How much does it cost to tighten serpentine belt?
The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should not deflect more than ½ inch when twisted either way from the middle. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.
What happens if the belt tension is less?
Belt tension that is too loose or too tight leads to inefficient power transmission, belt wear, belt failure and possible premature motor failure.
What is the relationship between tight tension and slack tension for a flat belt passing over a stationary pulley?
Tight side tension is created on that section of belt approaching the driveR pulley. Slack side tension is created on the section of belt approaching the driveN pulley. These tensions are illustrated as follows: Tight side tension plus slack side tension is equal to to total tension (TT).
What are the signs of a bad serpentine belt?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/Drive Belt
- Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt.
- Power steering and AC not working. If the serpentine belt completely fails and breaks, then your car will break down.
- Engine overheating.
- Cracks and wear on the belt.
What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Drive Belt Tensioner
- Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner. The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner.
- Unusual belt wear. Another symptom of a potential problem with the drive belt tensioner is unusual belt wear.
- Belt-driven accessories fail.
What problems can a loose serpentine belt cause?
If your serpentine belt is failing, you may notice performance issues with your vehicle. The vehicle may frequently overheat. Your air conditioning or power steering may fail to work or not work properly. You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt.
Can a bad serpentine belt cause shaking?
Misadjusted or worn out timing belt and other belts just as the serpentine belt can cause engine vibrations. If these belts have become loose or worn out then they can also cause other parts of your engine such as fans to not operate properly – resulting in strange noises and shaking.
Can a slipping serpentine belt cause loss of power?
GRADUAL LOSS OF CAR BATTERY POWER One more crucial device driven by the serpentine belt is the alternator. So, if it’s worn out, it will start slipping over the alternator pulley and the alternator won’t be able to produce enough electric power.
Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing belt?
Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The serpentine belt and timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync.
What happens when the serpentine belt breaks while driving?
A broken serpentine belt will immediately lead to a loss of power assist for the steering system. A broken serpentine belt will stop the water pump from circulating antifreeze through the cooling system. This ultimately means that once the serpentine belt breaks the engine can overheat anytime or anywhere.
What does a bad serpentine belt sound like?
Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood. The battery-shaped charging system warning light might also come on because the alternator will stop charging the battery. If a car has a hydraulic power steering pump, the steering will become stiff.
What does a bad pulley bearing sound like?
If your idler pulley is worn and the grooves do not hold the belt firmly, you will hear a squeaking noise from the engine. When the bearings are worn, they make a rattling noise. At this point you should stop your vehicle and diagnose the problem.
How long can you drive with a bad idler 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 are the signs of a bad idler pulley?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Idler Pulley
- Visibly worn pulleys. One of the first symptoms of an issue with an idler pulley is visible wear on the pulley.
- Belt squealing. Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts.
- Damaged bearing or pulley.
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.
Can I drive with a bad tensioner?
”It is not safe to drive with a bad belt tensioner because the belt tensioner ensures sufficient tension to power the accessories. As the tensioner wears, the belt can slip at the accessories creating noise, excessive heat at the accessory pulleys, and reduce accessory performance.
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.