You will pay somewhere between $125 and $380 to have your tensioner pulley replaced. The labor should run between $45 and $155, while parts can cost as little as $85 or as much as $225..
In this regard, how much is a belt tensioner?
The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are estimated between $73 and $93 while parts are priced between $138 and $146. Estimate does not include taxes and fees. When would you like to drop off your car?
Subsequently, question is, is it bad to drive with a bad tensioner pulley? 2. Unusual belt wear. If the drive belt tensioner pulley has any sort of issue it can cause unusual and accelerated wear on the belt. A bad pulley can cause fraying on the edges of the belt, and in severe cases can even cause it to break.
Beside above, how much does a pulley cost?
The average cost for a drive belt idler pulley replacement is between $143 and $164. Labor costs are estimated between $64 and $81 while parts are priced between $79 and $83. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
How long does it take to replace a tensioner pulley?
You are only required to loosen the bolt that goes behind the PS pump. This will move the tensioner pulley. You will then slide the default belt off and replace with the right one. This process should not take you more than 30 minutes.
Related Question Answers
Can you adjust a belt tensioner?
Locate the adjuster bolt on the belt tensioner used to secure the serpentine belt, and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the adjuster bolt with a racthet and socket while you simultaneously move the belt back and forth gently to find the proper tension.Can a belt tensioner be repaired?
If the drive belt shows any wear, it should be replaced. If you have a bad spring or hydraulic drive belt tensioner, it is not repairable. The mechanic will also be sure that the belt is properly tensioned after the repair, and will check that all of the engine pulleys that the belt runs through are properly aligned.How do I know if my tensioner pulley is bad?
Some of the more common symptoms of a failing or bad belt tensioner include the following. - Squeaking or Grinding Noise.
- Unusual Belt Wear.
- Failure of the Belt-driven Accessories to Operate.
- Bleeding Rust and Presence of Cracks.
- Excessive Wear of Pulley Bearing.
- Visible Signs of Pulley Wear.
How long does a belt tensioner last?
Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. There aren't a lot of warning signs that a drive belt tensioner has hit the end of its lifespan, in fact there is really only one.What does a bad belt tensioner sound like?
Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensionerThe most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started.Can you replace the pulley on a belt tensioner?
Replace the tensioner in the engine and replace the bolt. Release the tension on the automatic belt tensioner using the serpentine belt tool or wrench to manipulate the belt back onto the pulley it was removed from. If you replaced the belt, snake it around the pulley system properly.Do I need to replace belt tensioner?
In order to keep the proper tension on your vehicle's serpentine belt, a drive belt tensioner is used. It should be noted that the drive belt itself will most likely need replacing before the tensioner does. Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.How long do idler pulleys last?
An idler pulley is a simple device used to keep tension on the accessory belt (also called the “serpentine belt”). 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.Why do idler pulleys go 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.How do you change a pulley?
Loosen the bolt and push the pulley toward the center of the engine to relieve the tension on the belt. Slide the belt off the idler pulley. Hold the idler pulley so it cannot turn and loosen the center bolt with a socket wrench. Remove the bolt completely and pull the idler pulley from the engine.When should I replace pulleys?
Alternator decouplers and pulleys should be inspected every 10,000 miles for wear. Early design versions have a service life of 40,000 to 60,000 miles, with more recent versions lasting more than 100,000 miles. When inspecting a decoupler or pulley, there are two signs that replacement is needed.Why do serpentine belts smoke?
For a belt to smoke and then snap there is no doubt that you have a defective part. If the tensioner has become weak it may need to be replaced. If some other component has locked up it would result in failure, for example, the water pump, alternator or power steering pump.How many pulleys are in a car?
Cars have 2 types of belt pulleys, the idler and the tensioner. Some cars have only one of each type, although there are those that may have more than one idler pulley. The idler and tensioner pulleys look the same and function in the same way, too.What happens if water pump pulley goes bad?
If the pulley is loose it can cause the water pump belts to shake and develop more heat. If it's discovered that the water pump or serpentine belt is wearing out sooner than it should, it's likely a problem with the water pump pulley.Why is my engine belt squealing?
Your engine belts make a screech or squeal noise usually because the rubber belt is slipping on the metal pulley and just like your tires spinning on the road, this causes noise. The belt may be slipping due to improper tension or because it simply has gotten old and the surface has become glazed, cracked or brittle.How long can I drive with a bad pulley?
So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises. The car can still run for months or break after a few days.What happens when a pulley goes bad?
When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound. This is due to the bearings in the pulley going bad. The bearings may also make various other sounds such as clattering or even a rumbling sound, making the vehicle sound as if there was much more wrong than a bad pulley.How do you test a belt tensioner?
If a belt starts slipping, the tensioner should always be checked to see if it is functioning properly. With the belt off, visually inspect the tensioner for any cracks or signs of metal-to-metal contact between the tensioner arm and the spring case. Then spin the tensioner pulley manually.Is it OK to drive with a squeaky belt?
That's why it's recommended that the serpentine belt is replaced early when the squealing symptoms are first noticed. Although it may be safe to drive with the squealing for a few days or weeks, the belt will eventually need to be replaced, and for safety, the earlier it's repaired, the better. 
Daniel Santos 
