Serpentine Belt - Belt Tensioner - Idler Pulley

[fdunford]

Just adding a FYI for search purpuses.

Last summer I replaced my belt tensioner & serpentine belt. This morning on the way to church there was a huge squeal and then the belt broke. Fortunately we were only a mile from home.

I suspected the alternator, but it was the idler pulley. The bearings were smashed and the pulley was cocked way off center. If I had changed the idler pulley when I changed the tensioner, I would have saved a belt.

I strongly suggest anyone changing their tensioner to go ahead and spring for the idler pulley as its only another $25-30.

[henlopen]

Originally Posted by fdunford

Just adding a FYI for search purpuses.

Last summer I replaced my belt tensioner & serpentine belt. This morning on the way to church there was a huge squeal and then the belt broke. Fortunately we were only a mile from home.

I suspected the alternator, but it was the idler pulley. The bearings were smashed and the pulley was cocked way off center. If I had changed the idler pulley when I changed the tensioner, I would have saved a belt.

I strongly suggest anyone changing their tensioner to go ahead and spring for the idler pulley as its only another $25-30.

Today while going to deliver a HDTV to a customer, I had a similar experience. I had noticed a slight squeal that would come and go but couldn't pin it down until today. The pulley came off, along with the belt (still in one piece) and the bolt for the pulley is probably along the highway somewhere. Mine was a 96 Windstar with about 80000 miles on it. You know, it's real hard to make a U turn when this happens. I'll replace both tomorrow after the auto parts store opens. I strongly suggest that anyone with a similar vehicle replace the pulley with the next belt change, or when it starts telling you something.

Bill