truckster225

Hello. I have a 1992 Cavalier. My belt tensioner bit the dust last night! I have done my share of driveway mechanics, but never one of these. Can anyone tell me if its difficult to swap out? Is it just a quick in and out?

Also, does anyone know where I can see a repair manual on-line? Or where I might download one??

Thanks SOO much for the input. Any other tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

Mike Sigmond

Welcome to the Forum!

Usually any good online repair manual or procedure cost $$. www.Alldata.com is like $24 a year if you want factory info on one vehicle. If you need a specific procedure I can get it for you if you would like with my membership to a online repair database. Tensioners are pertty easy to swap out too, just a few mounting bolts on most applications. What do you mean by it bit the dust, did it break, bearing go out, lost its spring??

truckster225

The bearings are gone. Its my girlfriends car. She was told it would need replacing soon, and it finally went. Now it doesn't really have any spring to it and the belt slides of if we try to run it.

Mike Sigmond

Yep , you need a new one!

truckster225

OK!! Perfect! So, last question, does it have ANYTHING to do with the timing?? I read the repair manual down at the local library, and it was NOT real informative when it came to the tensioner. I THINK it does not, but I have definitely been known to be wrong in the past . Often!

Thanks so much for your help!!

Mike Sigmond

No ,serpentine drive belts have nothing to do with the timing.