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- Regular wear and tear. A new serpentine belt has a soft felt-like surface on the ribbed side. As the belt wears out, the belt rubber hardens and cracks; scroll down to see the photo of a cracked belt.
- Oil leaks. Sometimes, an engine develops oil leaks around the belt area, which causes the belt to get soaked in oil, see the photo. Oil or coolant can damage the serpentine or timing belt fast.
- Bad spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner. Proper tension is vital for any belt. Often an old spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner seizes up or wears out and becomes weak.
- Problems with hydraulic belt tensioner. Many cars have a hydraulic serpentine belt tensioner, where instead of the spring the tension is maintained by a little "shock absorber" (in the photo).
People also ask
Why is serpentine belt tension important?
How do you tighten a serpentine belt?
What brands of belt tensioners are available?
How long does a serpentine belt tensioner last?
A serpentine belt tensioner is a dampening mechanism that prevents belt flutter and damage to bearings. Learn how to check tensioner movement and replace it before it causes alternator, compressor or pump failures.
Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley up top. Belt tensioners are mostly spring tension. Once installed, the spring retains pressure to the belt.
- Why Serpentine Belt Tension Cannot Be Overlooked
- So, How Tight Should A Serpentine Belt be?
- How to Check Tension on Serpentine Belt
- Other Ways to Optimize Serpentine Belt Performance & Ensure Longevity
- Wrapping Up Our Serpentine Belt Tension Guidelines
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The tension of your serpentine belt is a critical factor in its performance and longevity. If the belt is too loose, it may slip or squeal, reducing its ability to drive engine accessories and potentially causing damage to the belt and other components. If the belt is too tight, it can cause excessive wear on the belt, pulleys, and bearings, leadin...
Now that we’ve explained why this isn’t something you should take lightly, it’s time to get into what you really came here for. How tight should a serpentine belt be for optimal performance and a long, reliable life? As with most components on your vehicle, the answer isn’t one size fits all. The proper tension will depend on several factors, inclu...
Now that you know how tight a serpentine belt should be, we want to guide you step by step through checking the tension. Then, we’ll offer tips on adjusting the belt’s tension if necessary. First things first - get all the necessary supplies:
There you have it - how to check tension on serpentine belts along with the steps necessary to adjust the tension if necessary. That wasn’t so bad, was it? This simple process can help extend the life of your serpentine system while ensuring peak performance. But, if you want to push the limits of your vehicle’s performance even further, you can up...
It’s time to wrap up our guide to serpentine belt tension. We’ve answered some of the most common questions surrounding this important topic - like how tight should a serpentine belt be. We’ve also explained how to check tension on the serpentine belt while providing tips on how to tighten the serpentine belt if necessary. By now, you should feel c...
Learn why serpentine belt tension is critical for your vehicle's performance and longevity, and how to check and adjust it using a gauge or a ruler. Find out the optimal tension range and the risks of too loose or too tight belts.
How To Change a Serpentine Belt, Tensioner & Idler Pulley. Proper serpentine belt tension is critical for the correct operation of all your accessories, and it’s the belt’s wedging force under tension that creates friction and transfers torque from the crank to your accessories.
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Take a look at our selection of belt tensioners sourced from top aftermarket brands such as ACDelco, Dorman, Duralast, Continental and URO. Our inventory includes tensioners and belt component kits containing serpentine belts along with the idler pulleys or tensioners you need to make a full replacement and get back on the road. Short on time?
Jan 7, 2016 · 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. 2.
