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      10-16-2018, 09:26 PM   #1
Mark963
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Belt Tensioner - What's Normal?

I apologize for being a newby on this. I've found picture of REALLY badly worn tensioners (with the belt about to fall off) but I'm just wondering where exactly the serpentine belt is supposed to ride. Is it OK if just near the edge of the pulley? I'm questioning a whining noise that the car makes at low RPM and noticed this looking pretty close to the edge of the pulley.

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      10-16-2018, 11:17 PM   #2
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That is normal. I would replace the belt tension er and idler pulley if your over 150k miles.
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      10-17-2018, 08:10 AM   #3
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That's normal. If the belt is coming off the edge of the pulley then it needs to be replaced.
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      10-17-2018, 01:37 PM   #4
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Take the belt off and spin each pulley by hand.

Also the timing chain is a little noisey, don't get the sound mixed up
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      10-18-2018, 12:34 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desertman123 View Post
Take the belt off and spin each pulley by hand.
OK!

The tension pulley turned smoothly and stopped immediately if I flicked it. The other pulley to the right would spin for seconds. I'm not sure if that's OK.

The steering pump turned pretty smooth, but make odd click/clack sounds as it changed direction when turned.

The alternator was turned with a lot of drag on it.

I guess that's all normal.
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      10-18-2018, 02:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark963 View Post
OK!

The tension pulley turned smoothly and stopped immediately if I flicked it. The other pulley to the right would spin for seconds. I'm not sure if that's OK.

The steering pump turned pretty smooth, but make odd click/clack sounds as it changed direction when turned.

The alternator was turned with a lot of drag on it.

I guess that's all normal.
The idler should have a little bit of drag in it. If it spins very freely that means the grease inside the bearings has escaped.

Everything else is normal. You're just feeling the pump itself turn, alternator clutch, etc.
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      10-19-2018, 03:27 PM   #7
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On my 60k miles E90, the dealer found the belt tensioner pulley is crooked during an inspection. I changed it myself. Easy DIY. When I inspected the old tensioner, I noticed the gap between the center plate and the housing is not uneven (one side is much closer than the other). Maybe you want to take a look of yours to see if you have the same issue.
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