Your drive belt tensioner is an important part of your vehicle because it keeps your drive belt tight. It’s important to recognize the signs of a broken or failing tensioner before it’s too late. The following are three of those signs:
Squealing or Squeaking
One sign of a problem with your belt tensioner pully is squealing or squeaking. If you experience any of these sounds coming from your belt, you may need a new tensioner. It would be wise to take your vehicle to an auto repair station right away.
Unusual Belt Wear
You can also look for unusual wear on your belt. You might want to visually inspect your belt to look for rips, tears or actual looseness in the belt. These will be key indicators that you might need a new tensioner for your belt. Don’t delay taking care of that problem because you won’t want to be stuck broken down on the road. Your belt might break or pop at a very inopportune time.
Problems With Accessories
You may also notice that some important accessories stop working, or they have intermittent periods of not working properly. Some of the main components that can be affected by a bad tensioner include your water pump, battery, AC system, and similar systems. You could have a faulty tensioner if any of those systems cause you problems. It’s best to schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable mechanic right away. Alternatively, you can do the work yourself if you know of a reliable parts supply store and you are excellent at DIY automotive projects.
