The timing belt idler torque specs vary between engines. In some engines, it’s 33 ft lbs of torque. In other engines, it’s 50 ft lbs. In others, it’s 17 ft lbs.
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How tight do you tighten a tensioner pulley?

How do you tighten a idler pulley?

How tight should serpentine belt tension be?
Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth. The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
What is torque tensioner?
When a load is applied by a torque wrench or tensioner, the bolt stretches and tries to return to its original length. The tension produced by the load leads to a clamping force, which works with the friction from the bolt’s threads to produce a secure joint.
What type of wrench should be used to tighten a bolt to a specified degree of tightness?
A torque wrench is a tool used to tighten nuts and bolts to a predetermined torque value. This instrument allows fasteners to be tightened to the proper tension, helping avoid damage from over tightening or joints coming apart from under tightening.
Can you over tighten a pulley?
An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc.
Can a pulley be too tight?
What happens if an alternator belt is too tight? It will put increased pressure on the bearings on all of the pulleys it’s running on. This may result in worn or failed bearings.
Can a tight serpentine belt cause loss of power?
The water pump stops working too, so the engine starts to overheat after some time. At a point, the engine will pack up and will require being towed. So yes, a bad serpentine belt cause loss of power.
Is the idler pulley and tensioner pulley the same?
The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. However, the differences between idler pulleys and tensioners also extend to purpose.
Should idler pulley spin freely?
It should spin freely. Apparently you can do away with it altogether as its only there to gauge belt tension. That makes sense, it seemed too flimsy to really be affecting belt tension. I’ll have to dink with the washers a bit to see if I can get it smooth.
Why is my idler pulley squealing?
Belt squealing If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley. In some instances a bad pulley may bind or slip and cause the belt to squeal when the engine is first started.
How do you tighten a belt tensioner?

How do I know if my serpentine belt is too loose?
A loose drive belt will often be noisy, squeaking a bit, or emitting a high-pitched squeal. The most obvious sign of a loose drive belt, though, is in its appearance and tension. A loose belt, simply stated, looks and feels loose.
Is it normal for a new serpentine belt to squeal?
The Real Reason Belts Squeal, Chirp and Make Other Noise If a newly installed serpentine belt is making noise, it is a sign of a problem within the engine’s front end drive system. Serpentine belt noise is the equivalent to a “check engine” light that indicates something is wrong with the belt drive system.
How do you calculate tension torque?
The Torque/Tension Equation is a method used to estimate the torque/tension relationship in an assembly. T = (K D P)/12 can be used to developt a torque value that will achieve a certain tension or clamp load. T = Torque (ft. -lbs.)
Are tension and torque the same?
“Torque” is simply a measurement of the twisting force required to spin the nut up along the threads of a bolt, whereas “Tension” is the stretch or elongation of a bolt that provides the clamping force of a joint.
How do you calculate torque needed to tighten a bolt?
The basic formula T = K x D x P stated earlier takes these factors into account and provides users with a starting point for establishing an initial target tightening torque.
How do I know which torque wrench I need?
The bigger the drive and the longer the handle, the more torque they can deliver. Most home mechanics will find that a torque wrench with a 1/2-inch drive and at least an 18-inch handle is the best choice for lug nuts, cylinder heads, suspension bushings, and other likely uses.
What are three rules of torque wrenches?
-Torque Wrench should be properly cleaned and stored. -Micrometer adjustable type torque wrenches should always be stored at its lowest torque setting. Remember to always unwind handle after each use. -Wrenches should be re-calibrated if dropped and should never be used in excess of its capacity.
How do you torque a spec without a torque wrench?

What happens if the belt tension is less?
If a belt is not tensioned properly, or is too loose or too tight, it can lead to inefficient power transmission, belt wear, belt failure and sometimes even premature motor failure.
How do you test a belt tensioner?

Can a loose belt cause a misfire?
Engine runs rough or misfires A worn-out belt will affect the engine’s timing, and possibly cause it to misfire. If the belt is worn or loose, it will slip and cause cylinders to open and close earlier than they should. If this timing is off, the engine will run erratically, if it runs at all.
Does idler pulley move?
Visual Clues of a Worn Idler Pulley Every idler pulley ages as time progresses simply because it spins along the belt, creating wear on each part. Such wear decreases tension that can cause significant belt slippage.