hey, for a while now i've been hearing weird tapping noises from under the hood. turns out i think the tensioner is loose causing the belt to still turn the other accesories but yet smack up against the tensioner. it is a automatic tensioner and i was curious if it is possible to tighten it up or once its loose is it junk. if it junk how would i go about replacing it and how much might one cost?

You might repost with year indicated in the title. Better chance to get reply.

That would be a 2000 malibu 3.1 L V6

I replaced a tensioner on a '98 due to sqeaking sound for around $60 CDN. I also had to spend $18 CDN for the serpentine belt tool as the replacement tensioner was just wide enough that it would not allow the 3/8" ratchet to connect to it once I was ready to replace the belt.

an automatic tensioner can't really loosen up so to speak. they usually wear out. grab the belt and pull on it. if the tensioner flexes fairly easily,then it's shot. a replacement will cost around 40bucks. shouldn't need anything other than a 3/4 inch ratchet.

If your belt is messed up, you're going to have some fun. You have to support the engine with a jack and disconnect the right engine mount to change the belt.:eek:

i have a 98 3100. my tensioner loosened, and when it did i had problems out of other components. like for example, the brakes would pop and then go to the mat, which really sucked. but what it was , was the tensioner was really cracked. But if u think yours is loose it is prob not , there is no way to tighten them. u just have to replace.