When tightening the new alternator belt, you have to make sure not to tighten it too tight. This will cause a much shorter lifespan, and it can even damage the bearings in the parts like the alternator or power steering pump. Most newer car models use an automatic belt tensioner also, so it is quite uncommon that the belt will become loose.
How tight should my alternator belt be?
- Open and secure your car's hood.
- Locate the alternator.
- Look for the three bolts that secure the alternator.
- Loosen the front and rear bolts attached to the alternator and engine using a suitably sized wrench.
- Loosen the bolt attached to the adjustable bracket.
- Remove the wrenches.
How do you adjust an alternator belt?
- You can tell if your vehicle uses an auto-tensioner by looking at the alternator mounting bracket: if the bolts can slide from side to side in the bracket, it does ...
- You will need to slide the belt off the alternator pulley before you release the auto-tensioner.
- In some cars, you might need a friend to relieve the tension while you remove the belt.
How to adjust an alternator belt?
just loosen alternator bracket adjusting bolt push down alternator slip drive belt over alternator drive pulley.when done installing new belt lift up on alternator to increase tension on belt.if alternator drive belt tension correct from longest span of belt take thumb press on drive belt should get 1/2 inch deflection once correct tighten alternator bracket adjusting bolt.
How easy is it to put an alternator belt on?
Use a breaker bar or socket wrench to loosen the auto-tensioner.
- It may take a good amount of pressure to rotate the tensioner pulley down. ...
- As soon as you let the tensioner go, it will return to its usual position and put pressure on the belt again, so you will need to hold it in ...
- Not all vehicles are equipped with an auto-tensioner. Consult your specific vehicle's service manual to see if yours is.
Why tighten the belt on an alternator?
Tightening the alternator belt can solve most problems under the hood such as squealing noises when starting the engine or driving the car. To get to know more, read on…. An alternator is an important part in the car engine assembly that does the job of producing electricity to run all electrical components of the vehicle.
What does tightening the alternator belt do?
Tightening the alternator belt can solve most problems under the hood such as squealing noises when starting the engine or driving the car. To get to know more, read on... Tightening the alternator belt can solve most problems under the hood such as squealing noises when starting the engine or driving the car. To get to know more, read on….
How to loosen a slider bolt?
If it is a slider tensioning system, you will need to loosen the slider bolt using the right type of wrench. The assembly would generally have a tensioner lock nut and a tensioner bolt. Loosen the nut and bolt, after which you will have to set the alternator against the belt. Now you need to tighten the slider bolt and the tensioner lock bolt.
How to check if alternator belt is bad?
You can check for a bad belt by sliding your hand across the belt and checking for cracks and irregularities. As a simple test, check if the belt moves out of place after carrying out the repair by trying to turn the alternator pulley with your hands. If it does, you will have to get it replaced.
Why tighten serpentine belt?
Tightening the belt can lead to a proper grip, thus increasing the alternator’s functioning. If it is a serpentine belt, proper tension will also help other parts to work smoothly.
Do serpentine belts tighten?
If it is a serpentine belt, proper tension will also help other parts to work smoothly. Note that this is just a standard procedure for tightening the alternator belt. The procedure may vary as per car type, so it is necessary to refer to the service manual for exact steps.
Can you spray belt dressing on a belt?
You can spray an aerosol belt dressing product on the belt to contribute to its smooth running. During the measurement of the belt slack, it the belt does not go down ½ inch, you will have to release tension off the tensioner bolt.
What happens if you drive too far with a loose alternator belt?
Sudden Stall. If you have been driving very far with a loose or slipping alternator belt, it can actually become so bad that the electronic components will draw more power than the alternator can produce.
How to tell if alternator belt is loose?
The most common symptom of a loose alternator belt is a battery warning light on your dashboard. You can also often hear a squeaking belt when the engine is cold. If your headlights are flickering or the steering is heavy it can also be caused by a loose belt.
Why does my alternator light pop up?
When the alternator belt is loose, the alternator will not spin at its optimal speed, and this can cause the charging voltage to drop, and therefore the warning light will pop up.
Why does my alternator light up when the belt is loose?
As the alternator or serpentine belt is powering the alternator, it will, of course, cause the alternator to struggle when the belt is loose. There is a battery warning light on your dashboard in most car models, which will light up when there is a problem with the charging system.
What is the belt on the alternator?
As I talked about before, the alternator or serpentine belt is powering the alternator and other things like the power steering pump. Some car models have a separate belt for the alternator and the power steering pump but mostly use the same.
What is a serpentine belt?
3. Heavy or Jiggery Steering. As I talked about before, the alternator or serpentine belt is powering the alternator and other things like the power steering pump. Some car models have a separate belt for the alternator and the power steering pump but mostly use the same. This means that when the alternator belt can also cause ...
How to find alternator belt?
Finding the alternator belt is quite easy in most car models though, look for a belt going around different wheels, and you will most likely find it.
Why is my belt tension wrong?
For example, if your headlights pulse, then it is because the alternator is not delivering a constant charge to your battery. This is normally because your belt tension is too tight.
How to tighten a serpentine belt?
Place the socket end of the socket wrench over the wing-nut and turn clockwise to apply tension. It is likely not possible to adjust this by hand, so check your socket set for a socket that will fit snugly over the wing-nut so that you can tighten the nut, thereby applying more tension to the serpentine belt.
What to do if your alternator is whining?
If you notice any whine or "pulsing" sound from the alternator, your belt tension is too tight and will damage the alternator. In this case, turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to loosen the belt and recheck the tension. Do a final check. You can also check for continuous power from all your accessories.
What happens if the serpentine belt is too loose?
If the serpentine belt is too loose, your alternator will not properly charge your battery and your accessories may not work properly. To correct the problem, tighten your belt.
Why is it important to keep the tension on a serpentine belt?
Because the serpentine belt is negotiated through multiple pulleys, it is important to keep the proper tension on the belt. Most serpentine belts have an auto-tensioner that automatically keeps the proper tension on the belt. However, some belts have an adjustment screw that applies tension to the belt. If the serpentine belt is too loose, your ...
How much play should a belt have?
To do this, grab any area of the belt that is between two pulleys with your fingers. There should be approximately 1/4 inch play in the belt for most vehicles.
