how can i tell if i have a bad tension pulley, when the cars on and idling, the tensioner moves up and back down alittle bit and i can hear a lil noise, " the noise could be me listening alittle to hard " lol but anyways i hear something, the belt tensioner looks old has its wear and tear but the main symptoms i see is when running the belt tensioner goes up and down or back and fourth every sec or so, is it normal for it to move? i dunno much about tensioner's outta all things, can anyone tell me symptoms ( is it suppose to be a solid piece and not move/ shake back and fourth )

im not worried about buying a new belt tensioner from autozone for 40 bucks i just am looking how to tell if bad, any symptoms, ways to tell if anyone elses engine on the belt drive tensioner moves and is common to see

 

when the engine is off, the tensioner does not move at all, very strong just thought id add that in

 

You need to check it with the belt off.

There's a 3/8" or 1/2" square hole in it, where you can use a Ratchet or Breakover Bar to release the pressure on the Belt, and slip it out of the way.

Then see if it's loose, an spin it.
There shouldn't be any bearing noise.

You might flex it back and forth a couple times, just to make sure it's not hanging up, and will put sufficient pressure on the Belt throughout the travel.

If it's oscillating when the engine is running, it is a Belt problem.
There should be literally no back/forth-side/side movement at all as you have found.

I'd put a new Belt on it, if you didn't find any problem with the Tensioner, and just keep the old Belt as a Spare.

 

hey houston,

the belt is brand new from the dealer i go to, i had it changed when i had the waterpump done, the tensioner only moves a milimeter or two up and back down as the belt rotates, nothing majorly moving... ive been looking at my other vehicles and all the tensioners seem to move alil as the belt goes around and the trucks running

theres no side to side movement or the tensioner moving outta position or movement where the screw holds the tensioner in, i dont see anything wrong as far as coming off the spot or making the belt squeel or eroding the belt at all...

i might of been jumping the gun cuz i replaced just about every other pulley but that one, and now im looking at it as if i need to change it and overdoin the truck lmfaoo i always go ahead of myself with things

 

Usually the tensioner will make a sharp chirping sound continuously or randomly when they are bad.

 

So ok, you're a little sensitive about that stuff.
You might put a few bucks into preventative maintenance, but...
I bet you don't break down out on the road much

It seems that the Belt and Tensioner are really ok, and...

We got to describe how to check stuff like that, for someone who is just reading along, and may have the need for this information at some point.

 

If the mechanic that replaced the water pump had thought it was bad, I'll bet he would have replaced it, especially since he put a new belt on.

You did say in your first post that it was moving back and forth and then in #4 you said there was no side to side movement.

 

hey shark, yea i went and seen my other boys v8 and his does the same, the tensioners doing its job perfect, it moves a milimeter up or down but average moves now rechecking other vehicles lol, i work myself up thinking tomuch and just go replacing if i think its bad, ive put about 2 grand under the hood on alot of parts...

yea there was no side to side or shaking of the tensioner it just up and down as the belt goes around, doesnt move wen trucks off, and belts tight so im just gonna let it be, as the mechanic did the idler pulley, water pump, alternator and ac bypass pulley and everything im sure he woulda said something also

this is a good thread for others to see

 

MY AC is rattling or vibrating. Recently had the following work done at a credible local shop: Replaced head control panel on the dash, replaced leaking pipe on compressor, evacuated and recharged system, replaced AC belt, (but not the tension/idler pulley) used washer to wash both engine radiator and condenser coil, replaced clutch on engine fan.

Before the repairs the symptoms were: the AC would blow tepid air, not hot but certainly not cold. Upon acceleration, up to about 40 MPH, for a few minutes, less than 5 minutes, AC would start to blow cold air. Very hot Texas weather, up to 100 degrees outside. Seemed as though once AC was blowing cold air it continued, but sometimes it became intermittent again. Always began to work once I sped up and was back in traffic. Normally blew cold during red light stops. But got warm if parked in the lot waiting for people to get out of the store. No strange noises or vibrations coming from the system.



After repair: AC works much better, but not 100%. Twice I have had the same symptoms as before. But now there is a definite vibration coming from the AC unit. That is I can feel the vibration at an idle and up to about 1000 RPMs. Car idles at about 500. The vibration is noticeable in the steering wheel. Might be enough to flick the ask off a cigarette, (no I don't smoke but I used to)

Just now, before writing this, I went down and started the car for the first time today. It is noon and about 90 degrees outside. The AC began to blow cool air very quickly and the vibration was there. I opened the hood and used my flashlight to see what I could find abnormal about the AC belt. I can only see the belt in two places, the water pump is in the way. It may be bouncing up and down but only a very small amount if it even is bouncing at all. Like I said the belt or idler cannot be seen as the AC pump is underneath car more or less, passenger side mounted low. The sound is a vibration or a very low rumbling noise. I took the car back to the shop yesterday and the manager sat in the car and could feel the vibration. Once the AC is shut off it instantly goes away. He said it was normal for that to happen. He said it is the horsepower being pulled by the AC operating under such hot conditions. I think he is full of CACA. I'm an old maintenance man and I can tell you that anything that vibrates like that is going to break. I can't believe a vehicle was designed to vibrate like that under heavy load. But not only that, it didn't vibrate before. When I asked him that he didn't have an answer. I conjecture he thinks I'm a fussy old man who worries too much. Basically told me he can't fix something that isn't broken. Offered to buy me a beer after work. He's not a thief or he would have sold me a new pump to get the work.



My main question is, has anyone had an experience with low rumble, vibration like that? All of these belt threads seem to talk of whistling or screaming. Mine does none of that. Then, if I drive it until it breaks, what else could it be harming? If I can feel that vibration in the steering wheel then it is vibrating everything else in the car, electronics under the dash, crankshaft, cam shaft, on and on.



I hope this thread is not so old I won't get an answer.



Thanks for reading , thanks for the advice.



Tomie

 

this thread to old its pre 2013. Did you find the problem as im haveing same issue? Thanks