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So if any suspicion arises that the timing belt tensioner has failed, it’s important to check the
tensioner and replace it if necessary.
13
S HA RE S
Causes Of Timing Belt Tensioner Failure
The most common causes of timing belt tensioner failure include:
Wear and tear: On a new mechanical timing belt tensioner system, the timing belt
tensioner spring is wound tightly by two tension rods. Over time, the spring stretches out
and loses its tension. As a result, the entire tensioner becomes too weak.
Dirt and dust buildup on the timing belt tensioner pulley: When this happens, the
pulley will fail to support the timing belt. It may cause the timing belt to slip off.
Hydraulic oil leak: A hydraulic timing belt tensioner assembly works like a small shock
absorber. It uses hydraulic oil to maintain the tension. If the timing belt tensioner is
leaking, it will lose the tension it needs to keep the timing belt tight.
Look for the following signs of timing belt tensioner failure:
Acceleration Issues
Lack of perfect timing leads to acceleration issues. You may notice sluggish acceleration.
Strange Noises
When the timing belt isn’t tight enough, it starts making noise. Or you may hear timing belt
tensioner noise. For example, the pulley may not be rotating freely. It may start squeaking as it
rotates. When the engine is idling, listen for the following noises from the timing cover area:
Rattling noises
Squeaking or squealing noises
Knocking noises
Keep in mind that the serpentine belt also has a tensioner, and also sometimes and idler pulley.
Both of these can also make the same noises as a timing belt tensioner. They are both relatively
easy to inspect, and simple and inexpensive to replace. So if you have doubts about where the
noise is coming from, take steps to rule them out first. Also, if they are failing, they generally do
not cause stumbling or hard starting. If they are ok, proceed to dig deeper to troubleshoot the
timing belt tensioner.
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