2001 chevy suburban keeps throwing ac belt
June 6th, 2018, 7:15 AM
#3
I would just replace that tensioner. It's a cheap part on rockauto.com. I replaced mine just because a couple of days ago. I have a couple of road trips in the next couple of weeks and I thought that the bearing was feeling a shade loose. I think the whole assembly was like $23 bucks. Also, I cranked mine and watched the belt to be sure that it's running true. Also, there is a service bulletin that refers to the tensioner chattering (and failing) due to improper refrigerant pressure in the AC system. Check your refrigerant pressures.
June 17th, 2018, 6:20 PM
#4
I just had my 2001 Suburban's AC belt replaced. The mechanic said that the tensioner was bad and that the pulley was freezing up to a point that the new belt was smoking. He sprayed the pulley and clutch with PBBlaster and freed that up, while I replaced the tensioner myself. So far, so good, and the AC is cold. The old tensioner was so worn that the parts were ready to separate; had that happened the part could have broke loose and broke the nearby transmission cooling lines. At $35 a piece, replace it.
June 18th, 2018, 4:02 PM
#5
I would just replace that tensioner. It's a cheap part on rockauto.com. I replaced mine just because a couple of days ago. I have a couple of road trips in the next couple of weeks and I thought that the bearing was feeling a shade loose. I think the whole assembly was like $23 bucks. Also, I cranked mine and watched the belt to be sure that it's running true. Also, there is a service bulletin that refers to the tensioner chattering (and failing) due to improper refrigerant pressure in the AC system. Check your refrigerant pressures.
That bulletin came with the new AC belt tensioner that I installed. That's a heck of a way to find out there is a problem, after the part fails and you buy a replacement. Tensioner parts could separate and damage nearby trans fluid cooler lines and who knows what else.