Belt Tensioner Inspection & Replacement Tips
Most late-model engines have serpentine belt drives for the engine-driven accessories, and most people know that belts are a maintenance item that eventually has to be replaced. However, many people don’t know the spring-loaded automatic tensioner that keeps a serpentine belt tight is also a wear item. Consequently, the automatic tensioner may also have to be replaced when the time comes to change the belt.
Component Connection: Belt Wear Diagnostics
Serpentine belts may last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. If a belt fails sooner, you need to be a detective and investigate why it failed.
5 Tricks To Solving Belt Noise
Variables that the engineer did not factor in can put the belt and your diagnostic skills to the test. But there are five techniques you can use to solve belt noise problems.
Diagnosing Belt Wear
The original equipment belts on late-model vehicles are made of synthetic materials and are far more heat-resistant and wear-resistant than older materials. These innovations mean serpentine belts may last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. If a belt fails sooner, you need to be a detective and investigate why it failed.
Stretch Belts: Inspection And Installation
Why stretch belts? For the more than two decades, automakers have consolidated accessory drive components onto one belt. It worked for most engines, but for some it presented issues with noise and vibration as the A/C compressor engaged.
Under the Hood: ‘Perfect Timing’ — Timing Belt Service for Toyota’s VVT-1 Engine
The focus of this article will be the timing belt replacement on a 2001 GS 300 with the in-line six-cylinder 2JZ-GE engine with VVT-i (Toyota’s variable valve timing).
Under the Hood: Short on Time – Compact Engine Timing Belt Service
As a rule, General Motors uses timing chains rather than timing belts on most of its engines. Timing chains are long-lived and reliable, and do not have a recommended replacement interval. But, not so with timing belts. One GM engine that does use a rubber timing belt is the 1.6L E-TECH II engine in the 2004 and up Chevrolet Aveo. We take a look at timing belt procedures for this and similar compact engines.
Best A/C Recommended Practices
Learn every step of the A/C system repair process, from how to properly check the serpentine belts to diagnosing air conditioning pressure problems.
Plastic Timing Chain Guides
Timing chain guides are designed to wear, but the guides are designed to last the engine’s life.
AC Condensers
The characteristics that make the parallel-flow condenser so efficient are among its major drawbacks as well.
