How long does a belt tensioner last?

Most modern cars that roll off the dealer’s lot as a new vehicle will have a 60,000 to 100,000-mile life expectancy for the serpentine belt, tensioners, and idler pulleys.

Should I replace idler pulley and tensioner?

Most manufacturers recommend inspecting the serpentine belt for wear every 10,000 miles after the 30,000-mile mark. As you tug on the belt to check for cracks, worn edges, and depth of grooves, you should also give the idler pulleys a spin. You can expect to replace the idler pulley between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.

What causes a tensioner to fail?

A seized tensioner cannot maintain proper belt tension. Dirt or mud can also jam the tensioner housing. A loose or worn pivot arm can allow unwanted movement; that results in belt noise and misalignment. Over time, this will increase belt wear and lead to premature belt failure.

Is it hard to replace a belt tensioner?

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 should a tensioner last?

How much does it cost to replace a belt tensioner?

The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.

How much does it cost to replace a drive belt tensioner?

Do belt tensioners wear out?

The drive belt tensioner can wear down over time, just due to normal wear and tear. It’s a good idea to have it inspected each time you have your belt system looked at. The goal is to replace it before it actually breaks down, and causes your vehicle to run less than perfectly.

What happens if you don’t replace belt tensioner?

As the drive belt tensioner continues to break down, a variety of aspects of your vehicle will start to suffer. It can affect your alternator, power steering, and your air conditioning since they are all powered through the drive belt. These issues will just become more and more pronounced.

What is the lifespan of a serpentine belt?

Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Pretty impressive. However, some belts are manually tensioned and may need to be adjusted.

What are the signs of a bad belt 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. It is also possible for the tensioner pulley or bearing to wear out, in which case the vehicle will produce a grinding noise from the pulley.

How do you replace a serpentine belt tensioner?

Generally, the serpentine belt is held in place by a spring tensioner. To remove the belt, you have to release the spring tensioner pulley, which is usually by using a socket or wrench. While the tensioner pulley is loose, you remove the serp belt and replace it with a new one.

When to replace serpentine belt tensioner?

Typically automobile experts advise a serpentine belt replacement or even a serpentine belt tensioner replacement once every three or four years, or after every 36,000 to 48,000 miles. This helps guard against unexpected belt failure which can leave you stranded and severely damage other engine components.

How long does a drive belt tensioner last?

Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. There aren’t a lot of warning signs that a drive belt tensioner has hit the end of its lifespan, in fact there is really only one. Once you start to hear a grinding or squeaking sound coming from your engine, it’s time to have the drive belt tensioner looked at.