Belt Tensioner Pulley, How to replace (EASY and CHEAP)

Learn how to fix a squeaky tensioner pulley in your car. The serpentine belt in your car powers the accessories such as air conditioning, power steering, the alternator, and waterpump.
Tensioner pulley wear will cause your pulley to squeak. A worn out pulley bearing or a worn spring in the tension pulley can also cause squeaking or a chirp. I show you how to use water to identify what type of squeak problem you have and then how to find the problem. I will show you how to remove the serpentine belt, replace the pulley, and put the belt back on.

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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix.

[NoOneFlinches]

I'm not overly mechanically inclined. I watched your video last night, bought parts this morning (serpentine belt and idler pulley), ultimately took me 23 minutes! Thumbs up and a subscription!  Good stuff man.

[lloydbrothers]

Thanks so much for this video. I was able to eventually talk myself into trying this vs getting a mechanic to help me out with this.

I got a quote for 650 bucks to change the serpentine belt and pulley. Smh, I decided to try my hand at this and successfully identified the Idler Tensioner Pulley and changed it in 4 minutes time with a simple, in stock purchase of 26 bucks at Advanced Auto. Turns out my serpentine belt was fine as it only had 5000 miles on it.

It blew my mind that one bad bearing in a Idler Pulley was causing all that noise and performance issue. My 2001 Isuzu Rodeo is running like a dream now.

You've inspired me to look for further improvements to keep my sweet lady of a ride for a long long time. I love this vehicle sooo much. Thanks a million sir! 👊

[jigginjoes]

Thank you for your vids you saved me $600 bucks so far this month. flushed my own radiator, did this and a couple other minor things. again thank you for sharing

[batikcreations]

Chris, Thought I would mention that it would have helped me had you mentioned that the pulley bolts are reverse threaded. Love your channel, you get right to the point and don't waist my time. you've helped me a lot over the last few years. Keep on truckin my friend.

[chrisfix]

+Janet Irby-Miller, I cannot reply to your comment so I hope you see this. If they want $170 for just the pulley, they are crazy! You can get just the pulley for cheap ($25 or less depending on the car). If they want that for the tensioner installed, that is about an hours labor so the price is what it is. You can do it yourself easily for $50 like you said. 

[chrisfix]

+Estiann du Plessis, I cant reply to your comment directly so I hope you see this. For my car, you can see in the video I loosen the bolt the normal counter-clockwise direction. Sometimes the pulley will have written on it which direction is loosen. Fan clutches have the direction to loosen and tighten written on them all of the time.

[mike]

One of the best how to videos I have seen. Takes you step by step and doesnt leave anything out. Thanks for being clear and thorough.

[fijig]

On a car that has 80, 000 miles or more they recommend to change the tensioner to not just the pulley. Can you please explain how to change the tensioner as well thank you

[anjylkat]

Wow! You do an excellent job on instructional videos! I just watched this one and the other about the engine squeak and completely understand everything you said! With the right tools, I feel I can go fix the squeak myself, although not sure I could get the belt off by myself. I am probably two to 3 times your age, female and my hands hands have quite a bit of arthritis in them these days but I have done a lot of things under my own hood. Thanks a lot for making such a great easy to understand video that even a gramma like me can use!

[TheMirageowner]

Thanks for this (I have a similar aged Ranger). I found the video about 1 day late. I kept hearing the chirping sound from the front and on a ride yesterday the idley pulley bearing seized and sheared the belt. I pulled over immediately before I boiled the engine. I used this video and the replacement of the serpentine belt video for instructions to fix this today with a minimum of fuss. Many thanks

[Haxpatty]

Thanks Chris! Just replaced my whole automatic belt tensioner in my 2011 Ranger. No more squeaking! That thing was bouncing around like crazy!

[tonywilliams]

On the Chevy 3.5 V6 is counterclockwise to take the tension off the serpentine belt Chris. You may want to add depending on your vehicle it may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[pinkonemd]

I was stuck. Then I saw this video. Now my truck is fixed. Thanks you saved me time and money.

[umqua]

You seem real comfortable under the hood. It's a hell of a video, thank you.

[gmb]

How about making a video on removal / installation of the belt tensioner assembly on the Ford Ranger 3.0. your video's are very informative.

[joshuatovar]

Would you mind doing a video on how to remove the actual tensioner?

[mushai]

This video saved me over $700. Thanks a lot.

[EMAWgasm]

Great video.  It's simple, clear, and concise.  Keep up the good work!

[Director_Orson_Krennic]

thank you for this, it's helping me with my Mazda3 right now. that pulley's bearing had its plastic cover explode off of it last night, and this is helping me fix it by replacing it. Thanks again!

[joemaestas]

Your videos are the best man!!…Extremely helpful and very acurate. Always right to the point…. with clear presentations!!
Thanks for taking the time to teach my friend!!