When changing the serpentine belt: Is it good / necessary to also change the Idler Pulley, automatic belt tensioner and tensioner pulley?
Question around changing serpentine belt
- Thread starter Rodger Tellefson
- Start date
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Bill Barber
Well-Known Member
If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Well, in some cases, no. In others, yes.
Here is an example. A while back, when I got Theresa her Explorer, we had replaced the belt. About 2 weeks later, I get a call that her tensioner exploded on her. She got it home and had it ready for me to fix. If I would have replaced everything at once we have never had that problem.
My father got a used Taurus with 100,000 miles on it. New belt and idler pulley since it made some noise. Put everything back together. A about a month later, he stopped by and I heard a slight squeak when he reved it. Replaced the tensiopner and the sound went away.
As with every repair, you are taking a risk when replacing parts that may not be bad.
I see it as cheap insurance.
When was the tensioner replaced? Never? Remove the idler pulley and stick your finger in the hole and spin it. Does it feel gritty or does it spin SUPER freely? Those are both signs that it is on its way out. Does the belt make any noise at all?
If the pullies have never been replaced, I would change them all. If it has been recently, then keep them.
New parts do fail sometimes, so don't think a new part will guaruntee it will not fail.
Tom
Here is an example. A while back, when I got Theresa her Explorer, we had replaced the belt. About 2 weeks later, I get a call that her tensioner exploded on her. She got it home and had it ready for me to fix. If I would have replaced everything at once we have never had that problem.
My father got a used Taurus with 100,000 miles on it. New belt and idler pulley since it made some noise. Put everything back together. A about a month later, he stopped by and I heard a slight squeak when he reved it. Replaced the tensiopner and the sound went away.
As with every repair, you are taking a risk when replacing parts that may not be bad.
I see it as cheap insurance.
When was the tensioner replaced? Never? Remove the idler pulley and stick your finger in the hole and spin it. Does it feel gritty or does it spin SUPER freely? Those are both signs that it is on its way out. Does the belt make any noise at all?
If the pullies have never been replaced, I would change them all. If it has been recently, then keep them.
New parts do fail sometimes, so don't think a new part will guaruntee it will not fail.
Tom
A couple of knowledgable people have said that the serpentine belt needs to be changed at 100k miles. So, knowing that stuff wears with time I am thinking that it would be good to replace them just as an ounce of prevention.
To the best of my knowledge neither the belt, pulleys or tensioner have ever been replaced. Thanks for the info.
Bill Barber
Well-Known Member
Belt at 100K for sure, mine had cracks in it at 25K when I installed the UD pully.
my tensioner squeeks on startup when cold, not going to change it till it gets worse.
But as caymen says, change everything before something explodes
Total waste of money IMO
my tensioner squeeks on startup when cold, not going to change it till it gets worse.
But as caymen says, change everything before something explodes
Total waste of money IMO
EddieS'04
In Memoriam 1950-2022
Ford replaced the ac compressor at 20k on wifes '01 escape. They also put a new belt on it. We picked it up. Went to her parents. Pulled into our driveway @ 10pm. When I shut it down, the tensioner exploded. That was strange. Ford sent a tow for it. Changed the tensioner. Only 20k miles. That was strange. Glad we got home..
Sachiko Ward
Member
Had to go thru this piece by piece. The trac had a squeak which eventually turned out was the serpentine belt. Have to change the idler pulley along the way...
Now running very smoothly...
Now running very smoothly...
