Should I replace pulleys when replacing serpentine belt?


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The belt ought to move smoothly over the pulley when you turn the crankshaft. There should be no chips or cracks on the edges of the pulleys. The pulley should spin evenly and not immediately stop or grind. If you see any of these problems, you should plan to replace all the pulleys associated with the serpentine belt.

How much does it cost to replace a tensioner pulley and belt?

The Average Cost to Replace your Car’s Drive Belt Tensioner is Between $235 and $267, Depending on Whether You Go to the Mechanic or DIY. What Is a Belt Tensioner Replacement?

Should I replace the tensioner or just the pulley?

If the pulley is damaged, replace the tensioner assembly not just the pulley. If an idler pulley is damaged, inspect the tensioner also because vibrations caused by a bad idler pulley may damage the tensioner.

How much does it cost to replace serpentine belt BMW?

Typically, a serpentine belt replacement may cost around $100-$195. This includes both labor charges ($75-$120) and spare parts ($25-$75).

Should I change the tensioner and pulley with serpentine belt?

Not necessarily, if there is good tension when you remove the belt, the spring is good, spin the pulley and see if there is any looseness or noise in the bearing. If there is, replace the tensioner.

How long do tensioner pulleys last?

Most modern cars that roll off the dealer’s lot as a new vehicle will have a 60,000 to 100,000-mile life expectancy for the serpentine belt, tensioners, and idler pulleys.

How long does it take to replace a serpentine belt and tensioner?

It can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour (two at the most) to repair or replace a bad serpentine belt with a new belt.

How long does it take to replace a pulley?

A typical crankshaft pulley replacement usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours.

What happens if tensioner pulley breaks?

When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise.

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.

How do you know if a tensioner is bad?

A bad tensioner will usually be accompanied by noise. This noise could be some type of squealing or rattling coming from the timing cover area. Also, when your timing belt is loose, it will cause some drivability issues usually under high load or high rpm.

Can a bad tensioner cause loss of power?

Typically a damaged belt tensioner will not impact vehicle performance. It would cause the serpentine or drive belt to wear prematurely or to squeak – but not cause the acceleration issue.

How long do BMW serpentine belts last?

How Long Do Serpentine Belts Last? Most modern serpentine belts are able to last anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, which is a fairly big window of time.

Can I replace a serpentine belt myself?

Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.

When should a serpentine belt be changed on a BMW?

How often do serpentine belts need to be replaced? Replacement intervals vary by vehicle and driving conditions. We typically see this part replaced approximately every 100,000 miles.

How long should a serpentine drive belt last?

Of the parts that will eventually need to be replaced in your vehicle, the serpentine belt is one of the most important. How long does a serpentine belt last? Being made of durable rubber, a serpentine belt can last anywhere from around 50,000-100,000 miles.

How much does it cost to replace a pulley?

The cost to replace the idler pulley of your driver belt will usually be somewhere between $80 and $200. The cost for the new part should only be anywhere from $40 to $90, while the cost of the labor will be anywhere from $40 to $110. These prices do not include added taxes and fees charged by the auto shop.

What causes a tensioner pulley to go bad?

Causes Of Timing Belt Tensioner Failure Over time, the spring stretches out and loses its tension. As a result, the entire tensioner becomes too weak. Dirt and dust build-up on the timing belt tensioner pulley: When this happens, the pulley will fail to support the timing belt.

What are the symptoms of a failing idler pulley?

What happens if you drive with a bad belt tensioner?

Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.

Will a bad serpentine belt cause alternator problems?

You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt. Additional signs of a possibly bad serpentine belt include: Flickering lights on start up. Failure to start.

What causes Fanbelt noise?

Our research has shown two main causes of belt noise: The belt squeals because there is improper tension in the belt drive system. This is usually caused by a worn automatic tensioner, but other causes can include a contaminated belt (oil, belt dressing, etc.) or a belt that is too long or worn out.

How long can a car run without serpentine belt?

There are a couple of factors influencing the answer to this question, but on average, your car should be able to run between 20-90 minutes with a broken serpentine belt. The engine will overheat faster without a functioning cooling system on a hot day, so your driving window is less.

How often should pulleys be replaced?

Replacement intervals for idler pulleys vary, but are usually within the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range. Replacement often coincides with expected serpentine/accessory belt replacement periods.

Why is my belt squealing when I accelerate?

Over time, wear and tear can take a toll on the belt and the pulleys, which often results in that high-pitched chirping sounds when you start the car and accelerate. The most common serpentine belt problems include: Worn/Cracked Serpentine Belt โ€“ Serpentine belts have grooves which fit into grooves in the pulleys.

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