Belt Tensioner Loose

[Ivan R]

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?

[hillboy]

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

[Ivan R]

That would be a 2000 malibu 3.1 L V6

[sunster]

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.

[exmonkeypunk]

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.

[EricinTN]

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.

[Dreamspawn]

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.