First Post.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Belt Tensioner symptoms.
I'm wondering if anybody can give me some info. on the symptoms of a belt tensioner starting to "go out".?
I've got a 2002 C5 coupe, 5.7 liter, automatic, with 32,000 original miles.
What's happening is, on occasion, when the car is started, there will be a slight vibration, along with the steering being what I'd describe as momentarily rigid. The last time this happened (this phenomenon is intermittent), there was a momentary squealing of the belt.
These symptoms are momentary, maybe a few seconds, and go away on their own.
I had the belts checked out (corvette performance shop tech said they are good), and the steering lock modification has been done by a previous owner via removal of the steering lock pin.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I've got a 2002 C5 coupe, 5.7 liter, automatic, with 32,000 original miles.
What's happening is, on occasion, when the car is started, there will be a slight vibration, along with the steering being what I'd describe as momentarily rigid. The last time this happened (this phenomenon is intermittent), there was a momentary squealing of the belt.
These symptoms are momentary, maybe a few seconds, and go away on their own.
I had the belts checked out (corvette performance shop tech said they are good), and the steering lock modification has been done by a previous owner via removal of the steering lock pin.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Last edited by Midlyf; Jun 6, 2013 at 03:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Usually squeaking would be associated with a bad bearing. While the car is running, take a look at the harmonic balancer and see if it is wobbling. Look at the belt in general and check for cracks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Start the engine, open the hood and Have someone turn the steering wheel rapidly left to right and right to left.
See if the serpentine belt is slipping over the power steering pulley. If it is, you may have a weak Tensioner OR the steering pump is binding up.
Change the power steering fluid and see if the old stuff is full of metal flakes.
BC
See if the serpentine belt is slipping over the power steering pulley. If it is, you may have a weak Tensioner OR the steering pump is binding up.
Change the power steering fluid and see if the old stuff is full of metal flakes.
BC
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
First advice - A useful descriptive title to your thread is better than using "first post".
You can pull the return hose off the resevoir and let it run into a can but it can make a mess so be quick with the hose movement. Don't get any on the belt.
The tensioner has a fairly strong spring. The belt should appear nice and tight and not be easy to push or pull on and release the tension. You could compare it to another vehicle if you have one handy since most use the same type of belt and tensioner system these days.
You can pull the return hose off the resevoir and let it run into a can but it can make a mess so be quick with the hose movement. Don't get any on the belt.
The tensioner has a fairly strong spring. The belt should appear nice and tight and not be easy to push or pull on and release the tension. You could compare it to another vehicle if you have one handy since most use the same type of belt and tensioner system these days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 8
From: Frisco Texas
Mine squeaked and still does when its below 70 outside or until the car warms up. Its the accessories pulley below the AC thats bad for me and the tensioner itself. I replaced the pullies and the belt but the tensioner is not holding tension. When I put a test tensioner on everything got better including my steering squeak.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
First advice - A useful descriptive title to your thread is better than using "first post".
You can pull the return hose off the resevoir and let it run into a can but it can make a mess so be quick with the hose movement. Don't get any on the belt.
The tensioner has a fairly strong spring. The belt should appear nice and tight and not be easy to push or pull on and release the tension. You could compare it to another vehicle if you have one handy since most use the same type of belt and tensioner system these days.
You can pull the return hose off the resevoir and let it run into a can but it can make a mess so be quick with the hose movement. Don't get any on the belt.
The tensioner has a fairly strong spring. The belt should appear nice and tight and not be easy to push or pull on and release the tension. You could compare it to another vehicle if you have one handy since most use the same type of belt and tensioner system these days.
Ok, point taken. Is it necessary to use a vacuum pump to bleed the system after changing the fluid?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
It could help but it's not necessary.
To bleed it, empty the reservoir and then run it while adding some new fluid with the return still in the container so the old fluid is pumped out of the rack. If you wanted to get really fancy, you'd also do that while running the steering back and forth.
To bleed it, empty the reservoir and then run it while adding some new fluid with the return still in the container so the old fluid is pumped out of the rack. If you wanted to get really fancy, you'd also do that while running the steering back and forth.
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