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The purpose of the idler pulley is to maintain the correct belt tension at all times. It also helps to smooth out imperfections in the belt tension caused by the engine and ancillaries. Don’t forget an engine isn’t smooth and each cylinder firing applies a force on the belt. Alternator loads changing cause small changes in load and tension (though the alternator itself has a special pulley designed to reduce that). Etc.
Gents,
I recently have a funny sound that I put down to tensioner or an idler pulley on the serpentine belt.
Sort of a tichh squeak noise, more pronounced when the engine is hot. I had the tensioner replaced and the old one had lost a lot of its tension compared to the new one.
Noise is still there. Could it be idler pulley or even the fan clutch??
Hoping for some guidance.
cheers
Peter
An old trick is to pour a little water on the inside of the drive belt as the engine is rotating, and while the noise is apparent. The water provides temporary lubrication to the belt. If the noise goes away while administering water, it suggests the problem is drive belt, rather than bearings, fan clutch, etc. Mind fingers while doing this.
Generally, I would replace belt, tensioner, pulley as a set.
Lee
My old TD5 tensioner bounced around a lot. I later found out after replacing it that the belt was slightly too long..there are 3 varieties for the TD5.
The correct belt fixed it.
Maybe the belt has stretched and/or needs replacement?
I had the tichh squeak noise Peter and I replaced the two pulleys. Tensioner was shot but the idler was on it's way out too. I'd get the other one done very soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by banjoship
The idler pulley bearing is very common , cant remember the number but got 1 from repco on a sunday for under 10 bucks, easy job totap it out with a small socket and fit the new bearing. I bought a spare tensioner for when I travel as this seems to be a show stopper with 1 complete belt driving everything and I have yet to see a belt that fits the alt , water pump and crank pulley only.
From memory the tensioner also has the same bearing as the idler , I think its actually the same pulley just on a spring loaded arm.
Bulletman
From memory I found this post from josh.huber - complete with bearing numbers. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-disc...ml#post2951585
Thanks chaps, I'll head back to my indy in due course and get those idler pulleys and a new belt done.
It will be a 6203 like almost all other LR idler/tensioner pulleys use, use a 6203RS and make sure it good quality like SKF,Timken,Nachi etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulletman
Just as an aside, a few weeks ago i answered a distress call from a couple with a V8 D1 that spat the tensioner bearing balls out on a Sunday 1 1/2 hrs from home.
I have replaced them a few times so had gathered up some tools and drove into the city to help them out, they got the pulley off with the tiny shifter they had and it took me less than 15 mins to remove and refit. I even had a circlip on hand to replace the snap ring that is a bugger to get out the side of the rd, i drill a small hole into the slot so you can a pointy tool in there to pick it out.
Nearly 300k km on original tensioner and follower. I think I’ll replace as part of my proactive maintenance. CheersQuote:
Originally Posted by loanrangie