I posted a Q last night, but I have more info today! I have a 1998 Ford Explorer- 2 WD, V6 4.0 liter engine-keyless entry (they asked all that at the parts store). After some diagnostics, we believe the serpentine belt tensioner needs to be replaced but I can not find any info online as to whether this is a DIY type job. Can anyone help me (and my poor husband) on this? Is this an easy repair job?
Here was my original Q:
My car is making a high pitched whiny kinda squealing noise! When I left home, it
started this high pitched squeal....then stopped...drove about 60 miles...It sat for about two hours in a parking lot. On the way home, it started that noise
and never stopped...Just as I was turning into the subdivision, my radio quit and
my lights went real dim on my dash...the ABS light came on...pulled in the drive...
turned it off and waited a second, tried to turn it back on and it just clicked...dead
battery...
Thank you SO much for all the help last night and any today!
2006-12-03 05:59:08 · 6 answers · asked by Tracy G 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Ok so a belt tensioner is a fairly easy thing to replace on most all vehicles if you have the right tools. But to be honest from what you described unless the belt broke off its not the tensioner its the alternator. When the diodes in the alternator go bad they screw with everything in the car. Dash lights flicker, stereo goes in and out, and then the car dies as the battery finally goes dead from not getting a charge. If the tensioner needs to be replaced then I would do it too but dont think that will cure the problem completely. To replace the tensioner just take the belt off (make sure you remember how it goes back on) then remove the bolt in the center of it (not the one on the pulley itself, the one on the assembly) once you buy a new one and look at it you will realize just how easy it is to do. Just need a ratchet a socket and it make it a little easier to have a tool called a belt tensioner tool. It makes it easier to take the belt on and off because it is designed to release the tensioner and remove tension from the belt. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!! Feel free to email me or message me if you need any more help.
2006-12-03 06:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by TripleXXXrated 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belt tensioners are usually bolt-in affairs - it's not brain surgery but you do have to have the right tools. If you know what you are doing it should take about a half an hour :).
To remove it you will have to release tension on the serpentine belt by applying a wrench (preferably a long one) to the nut on the tensioner pully and pulling it back until you have enough slack to move the belt out of the way. Make notes about how the belt is routed around all the various pulley's so you can put it back correctly (there should be a routing diagram under the hood). Then unbolt the old tensioner and replace it with the new.
2006-12-03 07:19:39 · answer #2 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it the 4.0L OHV, 4.0L SOHC engine? To replace the belt tensioner is not a big deal. Did the belt break? To release tension from the drive belt, simply get your 3/8 inch drive rachet and insert into the "square" on the tensioner, move it in the appropriate direction and slide the belt off. Get your 13mm socket to remove the bolt holding the tensioner to the mounting bracket. Reverse the order for re-installation. Hope this helps.
2006-12-03 06:11:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sound travels through metels so a probe like a docs stethascope is placed on what turns with the belt. my bet if there is tension on the belt, check the alternater, the idler bearing and the tensioner. if the powersteering is ok go back to the alt. and to replace a belt is no big deal just make sure you have a diagram of the belt routing; very important
2006-12-03 06:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by barbonzo1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure it's a DIY job, but it helps if you have a manual. just release the tensioner to take off the belt and then unbolt it and bolt on the new one. it should come with directions. dont forget to add a new belt too and clean and charge the battery :)
2006-12-03 06:03:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, we have a 1999 ford taurus and my husband changed our serpentine belt himself... it wasnt too complicated.... maybe you could get a Hanes book to help with stuff like that?
2006-12-03 06:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋