Belts & Tensioners
Signs of a bad drive belt tensioner
When your drive belt tensioner is failing (or needs adjustment if you have a manual tensioner), there can be a variety of possible warning signs. These include:
• A squealing noise coming from the drive belt at low engine RPMs
• Your drive belt comes off the pulleys
• Your battery warning light comes on
• The drive belt wobbles or tracks off-center
How do you fix it?
If you have a manual belt tensioner, this is an easy fix. Simply use a wrench to adjust the tension to the proper level. If the drive belt shows any wear, it should be replaced.
If you have a bad spring or hydraulic drive belt tensioner, it is not repairable. It will need to be replaced with a new one. Also replace the drive belt at the same time. Why? Because that worn drive belt is sure to fail soon and leave you stranded. A new tensioner and drive belt, properly installed, will take you many miles down the road.
