I was told this by a mechanic, was wondering if he was being honest.
2007-03-23 16:53:20 · 12 answers · asked by truthseeker 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The drive belt tentioner is a pulley on a spring loaded lever to keep a constant tention on the belt, and the bearings are sealed so there is no chance of leaking, and if the seal does fail, there is such a fine amound of greese in them that the centrifugal force will "throw" the greese away from the pulley making it look clean. There is no fluid for the tentioner. Either your mechanic is full of it, or you are getting the drive belt tentioner confused with soemthing else.
However, if you are refering to the timing belt tentioner, and there is fluid leaking from around the tentioner, then there is a leak behind the pulley and when that leak is fixed, the timing belt and hardwear should be changed at that time. Even still, its not a sign the tentioner is wearing out, its a sign there is a leak by the tentioner. Not all vehicles run off of a timing belt, some are chain driven.
2007-03-23 16:59:53 · answer #1 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find another mechanic. A belt tensioner has no fluids in it. They don't leak they just wear out. They contain sealed "lubed for life " bearings that just wear out. Sometimes the spring that holds the belt tight gets weak also. The pully on the tensioner will "squeel" or wobble when going bad and may cause your belt to fall off or shred if not changed. They usually last about 60-80,000 miles depending on the car and how it is driven. Its real easy to check and most nationwide chain shops, ie GoodYear, Pep Boys, Tires Plus etc will check it at no cost. Its a quick thing to check.
2007-03-23 17:03:07 · answer #2 · answered by asccaracer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The tensioner has no fluid of any kind. If there is a fluid leak it is more than likely to be the water pump or worst case scenario... a cracked head. FIND A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. He must have received his training from a freaking monkey.
2007-03-23 18:01:38 · answer #3 · answered by jd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose it's possible that a small amount of lubricant could seep out,but usually the tensioner will either make some noise or start to look like it's "off" of the belt line.Like it tilts on the bottom on the wheel of it that holds the belt steady.If it is the timing belt tensioner,you might want to get it checked immediately.Unfortunately,you shouldn't be able to see this tensioner.I hope this helps.
2007-03-23 17:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, there is no fluid in the tensioner. not even a bearing. there is a spring and bushings, no grease or lubricant of any kind. like the first guy said, maybe they are refering to the t-belt hydrualic tensioner, and that could leak.
2007-03-23 17:29:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought they were spring loaded, why would they leak fluid, and what fluid would they leak? I assume we are talking about the fan belt tensioner?
2007-03-23 17:01:27 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most belt tensioners I have come across are spring loaded they do not usually have any fluid in them
2007-03-23 17:02:48 · answer #7 · answered by john k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a mechanic, never in my life would I tell someone that kind of information. Did he also check the blinker fluid? Put the word out on him and maybe others won't be stung.
2007-03-23 17:09:18 · answer #8 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard of a tensioner that is filled with fluid.A tensioner bearing could loose it's grease if the seal fails.
2007-03-23 17:01:22 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they don't leak. The bearing on them is sealed. Noise or looseness from one is how a mechanic would determine if it is worn out.
2007-03-23 17:01:17 · answer #10 · answered by know da stuff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋