I have a 99 Saturn 2 Door Coupe . . I'm told that its my tensioner that is shot. I recently replaced the serpentine belt this summer when I got a new waterpump. Saturn recomended me to replace the tensioner, but I didn't do it at that time. Now its making a loud noise, but only in the mornings when its very cold or at night . . my question is it ok to drive around with that loud screeching noise or could it eventually cause other damages to the engine?? Is there anything I could do that would help the noise until I can get it replaced?
2006-12-20 08:02:19 · 14 answers · asked by Chelle 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The screeching is most likely due to moisture on the belt in the morning. It is very common during damp weather. The fact that your tensioner is not woking properly is making it worse. No further damage will occur, but every time you hear that screeching it means your belt is slipping, possibly causing it to wear prematurely.
2006-12-20 08:11:16 · answer #1 · answered by fairway8u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The screeching noise is from your belt being lose caused by the tensioner which Saturn probably already told you. There's not much you can do about the noise tell it is fixed. Eventually the belt could break because of the lossness or the tensioner it self could break it leaving you were you sit. Better safe than sorry get it fixed.
2006-12-20 08:15:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your tensioner is bad then you run a risk of the belt coming off while driving. What will happen is all the engine accesseries will lose power such as your AC, power steering, water pump and anything else that runs off the belt. I've had a belt come off on me before and the only sign was that it got extremly hard to turn b/c of no power steering. I had to pull over b/c I couldn't safley drive it that way. Another thing that will cause that noise is the power steering pump when the level gets low so make sure that the fluid level there is good.
2006-12-20 08:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tighten that belt!! The loud screeching you are being serenaded by is your belt being destroyed. When you start the engine the alternator is busting it's butt trying to recharge the battery. At night it is trying to keep up with the head lights, the heater, the radio, etc.,etc.. Putting off replacing the tensioner may have cost you an additional 80 bucks plus the tensioner.
2006-12-20 13:59:51 · answer #4 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The loud noise in the morning is because of the cold causing things to contract. Once the engine warms up and the parts expand, things tighten up again and the screech goes away. That said, it CAN cause problems. If it is screeching, it is slipping -- and therefore not driving the different parts properly, so your engine may not be getting its oil pumped correctly, etc. Get it done ASAP!
2006-12-20 08:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the bearings in the belt tensioner are shot, I assume that this could cause the serpentine belt to snap in two. But I am not an automotive expert.
2006-12-20 08:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it definitely sounds like your tensioner is on it's last leg. Definitely get it replaced soon. If your serpentine belt falls off it, it would be nice if it just fell on the ground, however it may whip up and damage something.
Also if it falls off, you'll lose power steering, and alternator (electricity generating ability), which could be dangerous.
2006-12-20 08:12:52 · answer #7 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No doubt it's your tensioner. Get it replaced as soon as possible. It is okay to drive.
And there isn't a thing you can do to reduce the noise. Just wear a few baseball caps pulled way down on your forehead and coats with big collars turned up until you can get it done.
Hopefully no one will recongnize you that way. I'm just kidding, but I hope this helps.
2006-12-20 08:09:21 · answer #8 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I dont recommend that you drive it too much. the things that will happen is that the tensioner will fall off and destroy the new belt . and get wrapped up around other pulley's possibly causing the the engine to overheat and seize up. if the tensioner pulley falls off it could fly off and hit your fan blades or radiator / radiater hoses causing alot of exspensive damage
2006-12-20 08:13:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will work until it locks up then you'll burn up your new belt. But I don't think it will lock up if it is only squeeling in the morning and at night. When you hear it consistently it's probably better to be in town close to a shop than out on the highway.
2006-12-20 08:12:29 · answer #10 · answered by LuckyChucky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋