Belts last a couple thousand than starts sqeaking at alternator , new alternayor and idler pulley

I am a mechanic and tensioner is good , it seems to me that the belt does not go far enough around alternator pulley , as soon as the belt get a little worn it starts to slip .The alternator bearing was shot and I thought it would solve problem but after a couple thousand it is sqeaking again .Anyone else have this problem?

artie g Nov 26, 2017

Check all your pulleys for nicks. Sometimes rocks and stones kick up and can nick a pulley. Especially if they are grooved it may be just enough put a slight shear stress on the belt. Check the tension er again. Sometimes the spring may appear tight but no longer has enough tension to compensate for belt stretch.

1 Answer

bhalooherbie

Contributor 6 Answers
Posted on Nov 25, 2017

bhalooherbie

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Joined: Nov 03, 2010

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Try a bit longer belt and adjust tension so it reaches pulley

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Anonymous

337 Answers
Posted on Dec 15, 2008

SOURCE: insalation of serpentine belt 98 chevy cavelier

http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003cb79

http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003ca13

Here are instructions and routings for belts hope this helps.

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Mar 09, 2009

SOURCE: replacing serpentine belt

You don't "loosen" the tensioner... DO NOT spray anything on your belts or pulleys... other than some water. Many fluids will attract dirt and give you more problems in the long run... there shoud be square hole on the tension like that on the end of socket.... Get a breaker bar... (bascially a ratchet without the ratchet part and usually at least 12" long) put into the hole and pull in a direction that will allow you to put the belt on and then slowly release. If you don't have a breaker bar you can use a ratchet however there is a chance you can break it under the force. Also you will most likelly need a cheater bar (nothing more than a hollow pipe to fit around the ratchet handle to help extend it 12 or more inches...) to give you the leverage needed to pull that tensioner... hope this helps...

Anonymous

15935 Answers
Posted on Apr 26, 2009

SOURCE: Can't get A/C belt around pulleys on my 01 Chevy Tracker 2.5 V6

Removal & Installation

1.6L Engine
A/C Compressor Belt

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Loosen the A/C compressor mounting bolts.
Pivot the A/C compressor towards the engine in order to relieve the tension on the belt.
Remove the A/C compressor drive belt from the pulleys.

To install:

Properly route and install the A/C compressor drive belt on the A/C compressor, the power steering (if equipped), and the crankshaft pulleys.
Adjust the A/C compressor drive belt to obtain 6-9 mm (0.24-0.35 in) deflection.
Tighten the A/C compressor mounting bolts to 13-20 f t. lbs. (18-28 Nm).
Connect the negative battery cable.

Alternator Belt

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the power steering pump and the A/C compressor drive belt.
Loosen the generator mounting bolts.
Pivot the generator towards the engine and remove the accessory drive belt.

To install:

Properly route and install the generator drive belt on the pulleys.
Adjust the alternator drive belt to obtain 6-8 mm (0.24-0.32 in) deflection for a used belt or 5-6 mm (0.20-0.24 in) deflection for a new belt.
Tighten the generator mounting bolts to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).
Install the power steering and the A/C compressor drive belt.
Connect the negative battery cable.

Power Steering Pump Belt

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Loosen the power steering pump mounting bolts.
Pivot the power steering pump towards the engine in order to relieve the tension on the belt.
Remove the power steering pump drive belt from the pulleys.

To install:

Properly route and install the power steering pump drive belt on the power steering pump and the crankshaft pulleys.
Adjust the power steering pump drive belt to obtain 6-9 mm (0.24-0.35 in) deflection.
Tighten the power steering pump mounting bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
Connect the negative battery cable.

Anonymous

79 Answers
Posted on Apr 27, 2009

SOURCE: tension pulley for the Serpetine belt

The tensioner is the 3 1/2" pulley located between power steering pump and alternator down about 5" on front of engine. Does it have air conditioning?
If you need the diagram please post your email address and I will email it to you as I do not know how to post pictures on this.

Anonymous

4 Answers
Posted on May 16, 2009

SOURCE: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo5-Serpentine belt change

Stick a 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar into the square slot in the arm and turn.

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1answer

Makes squealing noise

You need to check the belt that drives the alternator for proper operation. The belt may be old and worn, or a pulley may be not freewheeling, but seized or with a bad bearing. Possibly the tension on the belt is too loose from a worn out tensioner.

First, spray a little water on the belt with engine running and see if noise goes away, possibly a worn belt. Pull the belt off and check all pulleys. Spin them by hand and see if spins easy, no rough feeling or a catch when spun. Check alternator pulley, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, PS pump pulley and A/C compressor pulley-check them all for free wheeling. If good check the tension on the belt when installed. If unsure, have a mechanic check tension with a belt tension tool.
If belt is good and pulleys good, check alternator output with a voltmeter on the battery with engine running. If voltmeter is below 13.5 volts, the charging system is still not working properly. Have it checked out.

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Sep 29, 2013 • 2000 Mitsubishi Galant

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How to replace the tention idler pulley

using a breaker bar or some other tool w/ 1/2'' drive, insert into idler, there is a square hole, remove belt tension, donot remove belt, but lift belt off say the alternator, it would help if you hang the belt w/ wire or something so as not to let it drop. using a 15mm wrench, remove mounting bolt to idler, remove idler. better to replace the entire ilder w/ pulley, as an assymbly, they wear out like any thing else. when istalling new idler, must be positioned correctly. theres a finger which protrudes out of idler, this must be inserted @ engine sideof idler. reinstall bolt, tighten, reposition belt, using breaker bar 1/2" drive again, remove belt tension, so you can get belt over alternator pulley, release tension , done ! make sure belt is centered, and on properly according to belt rounting. when satisfied w/installation , start engine, check your work, remember to visulize existing idler, etc., etc., before you start this so you can put on the new one on exactly the way the old one was !!!!!!!!!!1

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Jan 31, 2013 • 1991 GMC Sonoma

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Sqeaking from the accessory belt drive. could be a bearing in one of the pulleys, the pump, the alt or the belt tension has weakened. It occurs off and on, usually just off idle but sometimes at idle. Is...

common cause is the belt gets worn and stretched, yes the tensioner is suppose to keep its tension but also the tensioner gets weak and all it takes is a couple slips of the belt to harden and you will get a squeal. Spray WD 40 on tensioner, idler pulleys, alternator behind pulley, not on belt or where belt rides on pulleys but at all bearing locations. Did squeal stop? If not replace belt. Usually a chevy water pump will leak, or grind not sqeak unless there is rusty non lubricated so called coolant in it which 1974 maybe but 2007 na im sure you didn't neglect this baby. You can also inspect the belt carefully, possibly buy a can of belt dressing and spray belt but do make sure you use a ratchet and check your belt tensioner for smooth non sticky tension pressure.

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Jan 10, 2011 • 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2WD

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Timing belt instalation points

Pretty simple fix... just did mine today. Before you start, do 2 things. 1. Remove the negative battery terminal for safety. 2. Make sure that you have a diagram available for the proper belt routing for your engine. If not, draw it up on a piece of paper.

Use a wrench or rachet / socket to rotate the tensioner pulley clockwise until you can slip the old belt off. Snake the old belt around the fan and discard it.

Check all pulleys for embedded gunk and clean as necessary. While not absolutely necessary, I recommend changing both the idler and tensioner pulleys- especially if you're changing the belt due to chirping or sqeaking. Autozone has the belt, tensioner pulley assembly and idler pulley for ~$110.

If changing the pulleys, just remove the single bolt that retains each pulley and replace the old ones w/ new.

Reverse the procedure for belt removal when installing the new one. Be very mindful of the routing and make sure that the belt is seated completely in the correct grooves of each pulley.

Put the negative battery cable back on and bump the starter a few times to be sure that the belt is tracking properly. Start it up and take pride in a job well done. Took me approximately 1 hour including pulley cleaning.

Good luck- by the way, my local Ford dealer wanted $360 to do this job.

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Dec 25, 2010 • 2001 Ford Ranger Regular Cab

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Where is the tension pully on a 1993 ford taurus 3.0 motor

there is no spring tensioner on some of the 3.0 engines. See instructions below. I will paste a pic on the version that DOES have a tensioner at the bottom of this post.

3.0L Engine-Except SHO
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Loosen the adjusting arm and pivot bolts.
Turn the alternator belt adjusting screw counterclockwise until the old belt can be removed.
Remove the belt.

To install:

Install the new belt over the pulleys. Check that all the V-grooves make proper contact with the pulleys.
Adjust the belt tension, then tighten the adjusting arm and pivot bolts.

3.0L SHO Engine
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See Figure 2

Loosen the nut in the center of the idler pulley.
Loosen the idler adjusting screw until the old belt can be removed, then remove the belt.

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Install the new belt over the pulleys in proper contact with the pulleys.
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See Figure 2

Remove the alternator belt.
Loosen the nut on the tensioner pulley.
Turn the belt adjusting screw on the tensioner counterclockwise until the belt can be removed, then remove the belt.

To install:

Position the new belt over the proper pulleys, making sure the V-grooves are properly seated.
Install the alternator belt.
Adjust the power steering and air conditioning belt to a specification of 154-198 lbs. (690-980 N) with a belt tension gauge.
Adjust the alternator belt.

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VEHICLES THROUGH 1993 WITH AUTOMATIC TENSIONER
See Figures 4 and 5

Insert a 1 / 2 in. breaker bar into the square hole in the tensioner.

On the 3.8L engine, the tensioner has a1/2in. square hole cast into the rear of the tension arm directly behind the pulley. On the 3.0L engine, the1/2in. square hole is cast into the spring housing on the front of the tensioner.

Rotate the tensioner clockwise and remove the belt.

Fig. Fig. 5: 3.8L belt schematic-1993 shown

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Install the drive belt over all the pulleys, except for the alternator pulley on the 3.0L engine for vehicles through 1992, or the idler pulley for 1993 3.0L vehicles.
Rotate tensioner counterclockwise and install the belt over the alternator pulley. Make sure that all the V-grooves make proper contact with the pulleys.
On the 3.0L engine, install the alternator belt for vehicles through 1992.
For 1993 3.0L vehicles, install the drive belt over the idler pulley.

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Oct 01, 2010 • 1993 Ford Taurus

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Belt sqeaking.. replaced serpentine but now think its the belt connected to the alternator. tighted that one and sounds like its scubbing when i turn the wheel and still sqeaks

It is probably your tensioner or idler pulley worn out. Check and see if pulleys are worn and replace

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Sep 11, 2009 • 2000 Mazda Protege

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Drive Belts Squeaking

First off, how many miles do you have on this engine?Since you changed the belt and still have the noise,you have one of your pulleys making this noise.Usually it's the ideler tensioner pully.Take the belts off.Turn the pulleys by hand including the alternator pulley.if you hear the slightest faint noise there's your problem.repalce the part or the pulley. A lot of times the alternator pulley does this,the front bearing or the rear bearing as well will make these nasty squeals.Find an auto electric shop that rebuilds alternators and have them replace the bearing for you,while your at it service your unit,it will save you in the long run.

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Jul 23, 2009 • 2003 Kia Optima

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How do you relace an alternator belt on 1998 chevy tracker?

A year is not a good sign. The belt should not have come off in that span of time. I would make sure you do not have a worn out idler or tensioner pulley bearing before installing your new belt or reinstalling the original if it is not worn or damaged.

You will find one or two small pulleys involved with drive belt. One of the smaller pulleys will be an "idler" pulley and simply redirects the belt to a different accessory. The other small pulley is considered a "tensioner" pulley, it is spring loaded and keeps the correct tension on the accessory belt.
The tensioner pulley will have a "squared" hole in the bracket or a bolt through the center of the pulley. In either case you will use a wrench to pry the tensioner pulley arm in the direction that loosens the belt. Once tension is relieved, pull the belt off a pulley and remove the belt. You will reverse the process to install the new belt.
Good luck and let me know.
Regards,

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Apr 07, 2009 • 1998 Chevrolet Tracker

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1996 Grand AM 3.1L serpentine belt replacement

Try this procedure.

To replace a worn belt, locate the idler or generator pulley.

Loosen the hold-down fastener for the idler or generator pulley.

Pry the idler or generator pulley inward to release the belt tension and remove the belt.

Match the old belt up for size with the new replacement belt.

Observe the belt routing diagram in the engine compartment.

Install the new belt over each of the drive pulleys. Often the manufacturer recommends a sequence for feeding the belt around the pulleys.

Art courtesy of Delmar - Thomson Learning.
Pry out the idler or generator pulley to put tension on the belt.
Pry out the idler or generator pulley to put tension on the belt.

Install the belt squarely in the grooves of each pulley.

Before adjusting belt tension, check for proper pulley alignment. This is especially critical with serpentine belts. Measure the belt deflection in its longest span. If a belt tension gauge is available, use it and compare the tension to specifications.
If a belt is too tight, wear to bearings for the water pump, alternator, and engine crankshaft can result.
Some late-model Chrysler engines require a torque reading to be taken when tension is applied to the generator drive belt. This is especially important on the longer, multiribbed V-belts.

Pry the idler or generator pulley to adjust the belt to specifications.

Tighten the idler or generator pulley fastener.

Start the engine and check the belt for proper operation.

Any more questions please ask. Good luck.

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Jan 24, 2009 • 1996 Pontiac Grand Am

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Serpentine belt installation

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} 1 To replace a worn belt, locate the idler or generator pulley.
2 Loosen the hold-down fastener for the idler or generator pulley.
3 Pry the idler or generator pulley inward to release the belt tension and remove the belt.
4 Match the old belt up for size with the new replacement belt.
5 Observe the belt routing diagram in the engine compartment.
6 Install the new belt over each of the drive pulleys. Often the manufacturer recommends a sequence for feeding the belt around the pulleys.
7 Pry out the idler or generator pulley to put tension on the belt.
8 Pry out the idler or generator pulley to put tension on the belt.
9 Install the belt squarely in the grooves of each pulley.
10 Before adjusting belt tension, check for proper pulley alignment. This is especially critical with serpentine belts. Measure the belt deflection in its longest span. If a belt tension gauge is available, use it and compare the tension to specifications.
”If a belt is too tight, wear to bearings for the water pump, alternator, and engine crankshaft can result.”
11 Pry the idler or generator pulley to adjust the belt to specifications.
12 Tighten the idler or generator pulley fastener.
13 Start the engine and check the belt for proper operation.

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Jan 10, 2009 • 1998 Ford Escort

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Belts last a couple thousand than starts sqeaking at alternator , new alternayor and idler pulley