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When should I replace my tensioner?
There is no recommended timeframe in which to replace your tensioner, especially as the belt itself usually needs replacing before the tensioner does. However, you should inspect your tensioner each time you service your car to monitor its condition and replace it if necessary.
How much does a tensioner cost?
The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.
How many tensioners does a car have?
There are three main types of belt tensioners found in the replacement auto parts market. Each one works a little differently, but all ensure that your alternator and auxiliary pumps receive the power needed to keep your car or truck moving.
Can you drive with a bad tensioner?
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 are the signs of a bad belt tensioner?
The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started. It is also possible for the tensioner pulley or bearing to wear out, in which case the vehicle will produce a grinding noise from the pulley.
How do you replace a serpentine belt tensioner?
Generally, the serpentine belt is held in place by a spring tensioner. To remove the belt, you have to release the spring tensioner pulley, which is usually by using a socket or wrench. While the tensioner pulley is loose, you remove the serp belt and replace it with a new one.
When to replace serpentine belt tensioner?
Typically automobile experts advise a serpentine belt replacement or even a serpentine belt tensioner replacement once every three or four years, or after every 36,000 to 48,000 miles. This helps guard against unexpected belt failure which can leave you stranded and severely damage other engine components.
How long does a drive belt tensioner last?
Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. There aren’t a lot of warning signs that a drive belt tensioner has hit the end of its lifespan, in fact there is really only one. Once you start to hear a grinding or squeaking sound coming from your engine, it’s time to have the drive belt tensioner looked at.