How do I know if my idler pulley bearing is bad?

Signs of a Bad Idler Pulley

1. Squealing. When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound.
2. Frozen. The bearings in a pulley may cause the pulley to freeze or in some cases hard to spin.
3. Belt Travel.
4. Pulley Mounting.

Can a bad idler pulley cause alternator problems?

Alternators are DRIVEN by the serpentine belt. All that happens when the belt disappears or pulleys seize is the alternator stops turning; there is NO possibility of damage to the alternator.

Can you fix a idler pulley?

If your idler pulley fails and you continue to operate your vehicle, it will likely cause damage to your timing belt too. However, you can replace your idler pulley quickly if you have the right tools and know how.

Can I bypass an idler pulley?

Yes you probably can get a shorter belt and route it to bypass that pulley. The only thing is the belt will most likely slip every time the A/C compressor clutch is engaged.

What sound does a bad idler pulley make?

When the grooves on the belts are not holding on to the pulleys, you will hear a noise coming from the engine. They will make a rattling sound if the bearings are worn out.

Can I drive with a bad idler pulley?

Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafe since the tensioner is meant to guarantee ample tension that powers accessories. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, generate loud noise, and also create an unsafe level of heat along the accessory pulleys.

What will a bad idler pulley do?

A Bad Idler Pulley May Spin Excessively Spin the pulley. If the pulley keeps spinning or spins for more than a few rotations, there is an issue with the bearing. It may also make a noise at normal RPMs. A normal working pulley should spin for a few rotations and stop.

Is an idler pulley important?

Its primary function is to provide tension and guide the engine drive belt. These belts wrap around the various parts of the engine such as the power steering pump, alternator, water pump etc… To keep it simple, idlers are complementary pulleys that make the entire system run smoothly.

What happens when an idler pulley goes bad?

If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley. In some instances a bad pulley may bind or slip and cause the belt to squeal when the engine is first started.

What are the symptoms of a bad tensioner pulley?

• Rust bleed and cracks. Appearance: Rust is bleeding between arm and base or dripping from the tensioner.
• Pulley bearing wear.
• Pulley wear.
• Tensioner assembly misalignment.
• Tensioner noise.
• Tensioner arm misalignment.
• Excessive tensioner arm oscillation.
• Binding or grinding tensioner arm movement.

How long should an idler pulley last?

An idler pulley is expected to wear over time, and eventually the pulley will fail. Replacement intervals for idler pulleys vary, but are usually within the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range. Replacement often coincides with expected serpentine/accessory belt replacement periods.

How to replace idler bearing on engine 3.0?

Carefully, remove the tensioner bolt and pulley while your finger is pressing the nut at the back. Then, insert the tensioner pulley bolt so that you can secure the nut at the back. I found a method to not lose the nut behind the tensioner pulley.

Where is the idler and tensioner pulley located?

The tensioner pulley is the pulley that is lower and to the left (the one visually under the radiator belt in the pic that has a black driver already in it), the idler is simply the other one (kind of hidden behind the radiator belt).

How do you replace idler nut on engine tensioner?

First, remove the idler pulley, this makes room so you can reach the back of the tensioner pulley bracket to hold the nut with your finger. Carefully, remove the tensioner bolt and pulley while your finger is pressing the nut at the back. Then, insert the tensioner pulley bolt so that you can secure the nut at the back.

How to route the belt except for the idler belt?

Route the belt except for the idler. You’ll want to be able to be hands free so wedge the idler slack between the idler pulley and the alternator. It creates a loop that you’ll eventually slide over the idler when you release tension- see pics for what I mean.