Serpentine tensioner...

[bowtie_pasta]

I recently had some work done on my 97' S-10 Blazer 4WD that required the removal of the belt that runs all the pulleys on the engine.

 

I had a problem with the belt screeching slightly under hard acceleration.  Upon inspection, and wondering if there was a way to adjust the tension, I discovered it was controlled by the spring loaded serpentine belt tensioner.

 

It was pointed out that my tensioner was bad and needed to be replaced.  It has some play in it where I can rock the tensioner arm back and forth a bit.  Is this true?  Should the tensioner be replaced?  

 

Sorry for the long post, thanks for any help.  

[Shaners]

I have seen problems in the past where the bearings in the "idler" pully have gone bad.

[CMNTMXR81]

Depends on how much play?  If it's as sloppy as a $20 hooker, than yes, it needs to be replaced.  But since you use a breaker bar on the tensioner pulley to move it in order to remove the belt itself, there is some inherint slack (albeit not much at all).

 

It's generally a one piece unit and can easily be replaced belt and all on these trucks in less than 10 minutes.

[Frank S]

If it's as sloppy as a $20 hooker, than yes, it needs to be replaced.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

Oh wait,that's just nasty!  

[badpewterz]

for the 40-50 bucks the tensioner cost i would, the have been known to go bad on the 4. vortechs, and the squeeking will drive you nuts too

easy to replace too

1. remove belt

2.remove tensioner bolt and tensioner

3.reverse procedure

[bowtie_pasta]

Thanks folks!

 

I've already found the part online for around $30.00.  I think I'll just remove the original one and inspect it first.

 

Right now it hasn't been squeeling, but I'm almost positive it needs to be replaced.