Belt Tensioner

[bigballsbilly]

What does it sound like when a tensioner goes bad? Ever since I changed my alternator I have a rattle like vibrating noise from the engine at idle. It goes away with even the slightest of load. Does this sound like a tensioner? And is it rebuildable? Does the spring go bad?

 

[scgnx2]

Remove the belt and run the motor. That should narrow things down.

 

[pacecarta]

alternator most likely has a smaller pulley than the one that was there making the tensioner run at the limit of its extension
check it . if the pulley is close to the AC stud you may need a shorter belt

 

[bigballsbilly]

alternator most likely has a smaller pulley than the one that was there making the tensioner run at the limit of its extension
check it . if the pulley is close to the AC stud you may need a shorter belt

I suspected the same and did put a shorter one on. Maybe I'll try one even shorter.

 

[drturbo69]

some were bad about a/c comp. mounting bolt missing? Turbo t/a belt?

 

[bigballsbilly]

I'm going to take the belt off tonight and run it to try to narrow it down.

And then I'll try a shorter belt.

 

[bigballsbilly]

Installed the billet belt Tensioner today. The 63.0 in belt was too short with the new tensioner, installed the original size 64.0. Noise All gone. It's so nice driving the car without it sounding like a bunch of marbles rolling around when at idle.