Stupid Question, but I gotta ask!

[DonM]

Put a new Alternator on a little over a week ago. I had some chirping noises and squelling noises. Which I hoped would be taken care of after the new Alternator. The chirping noise is gone, but the squelling is still present.

Today I noticed a new noise, that goes away after about 30 sec. Im not sure how to explain the noise. But my question as to do with the tensioner.

While looking under the hood this a.m. I noticed the tensioner was slightly moving side to side. Maybe a 1/4? Is this normal??? Shouldnt it not move? Tensioner is only a few months old, Btw.

Thanks


Don

 

[Blaine122300]

First, check the 17mm bolts holding the tensioner on. They may be loose. (bad).
2nd, check how tight the tensoiner is. If you can move it fairly easlilly with a 3/8 rachet, it is probably not good.

With mine, I had to use a 3/8 rachet and a long wrench (BFW) to get the belt back on. Had to put some arse behind it. A loose tensoiner will cause the squeeling. It is from your belt slipping.

Hope this helps.

Andy

Oh yeah, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

 

[DonM]

Yeah, when i put the belt back on it was pretty tight.

I allways had the noise, but the new noise does not seem to be coming from the area?

I did check to see if the tensioner is still tight. From the top I used my had to see if i could push the tensioner. Im not a very strong person, but I moved the tensioner about 1/2. I dont know if this is good for bad?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Texan01]

Check the idler pulleys to make sure they are good, I had some funky noises too and pulled the belt off and found the idler pulley was very rough, replaced it for 14 bucks and had replaced the tensioner & pulley because the pulley bearing was bad and the tensioner itself was about to come apart.

I can move my tensioner with just a regular 3/8" rachet or by hand about 3/4". Mom's Buick I have to put some oomph into to get it loose, but then it's designe to never be replaced since it's part of the alternator bracket, be $$$ when the spring breaks.

 

[DonM]

Im guessing what im seeing is normal? But it's bitter cold here and I dont want to spend much time outside right now.

14$ for an Idler pulley? Hell, im still trying to find the damn squelling noise. I may just pick up a new idler. Nothing else seems to help and im getting sick of the noise!