How do you change a belt tensioner?

How to replace an accessory tensioner in 8 easy steps

Draw a sketch or take a picture of the belt routing.
Unload the belt from the tensioner by rotating the tensioner.
Remove the old tensioner from the engine.
Place the new tensioner on the engine.

Can you replace a belt tensioner yourself?

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.

How long does it take to replace a belt tensioner?

It should only take about an hour of work for the replacement, but sometimes it can be more, which can drive up the labor costs, and that varies from one car to the next.

Is it hard to change a tensioner pulley?

In most vehicle applications, the pulley can be disconnected from the tensioner and then replaced. But it’s best to inspect the functionality of the tensioner as well, since the unit needs to be removed to replace the pulley. The level of difficulty widely varies per make and model.

How much does it cost to replace a tensioner belt?

The average cost for drive belt tensioner replacement is between $236 and $264. Labor costs are estimated between $80 and $100 while parts are priced between $156 and $164. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

How do you diagnose a bad tensioner?

1. Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner. The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started.

Where is the belt tensioner on a Chevy Cavalier?

Open the hood on the 1998 Chevy Cavalier and locate the spring loaded belt tensioner. It’s on the front passenger side of the engine or in the front center of the engine. Use the bolt head in the middle of the tensioner pulley to loosen the tension off of the belt.

How do you remove a belt from a belt tensioner?

Remove the belt from the belt tensioner. Turn the belt tensioner clockwise from the bolt in the middle of the tensioner pulley with a breaker bar and socket. Slip the belt off the tensioner pulley, and release the breaker bar.

How do you retract a tensioner pulley on a car?

Slide the belt under the new tensioner pulley and release the tensioner. As the new tensioner retracts it will tighten the belt to the proper tension. Inspect the belt to make sure it’s still seated inside all of the pulleys. Then, crank the engine and let it run for 15 seconds.

How do you change the tensioner on a car?

Slide the bungee cord off the belt. Turn the tensioner clockwise with the breaker bar and socket. Slip the new belt around the tensioner pulley, and release the tensioner. Pull the breaker bar out of the engine well. Crank the engine to ensure the tensioner is working properly.