2016 C7 belt tensioner needs replacing
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2016 C7 belt tensioner needs replacing
Hi,
Just came back from a chevy dealership and was told that the belt tensioner (gm 12686272) needs to be replace due to the whining noise when they were replacing the battery and alternator. I’m just skeptic because I’ve been driving almost 8k miles without problems but I wanted to make sure if it needs to be fix. Attached is the video of the noise. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Just came back from a chevy dealership and was told that the belt tensioner (gm 12686272) needs to be replace due to the whining noise when they were replacing the battery and alternator. I’m just skeptic because I’ve been driving almost 8k miles without problems but I wanted to make sure if it needs to be fix. Attached is the video of the noise. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Hi,
Just came back from a chevy dealership and was told that the belt tensioner (gm 12686272) needs to be replace due to the whining noise when they were replacing the battery and alternator. I’m just skeptic because I’ve been driving almost 8k miles without problems but I wanted to make sure if it needs to be fix. Attached is the video of the noise. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Just came back from a chevy dealership and was told that the belt tensioner (gm 12686272) needs to be replace due to the whining noise when they were replacing the battery and alternator. I’m just skeptic because I’ve been driving almost 8k miles without problems but I wanted to make sure if it needs to be fix. Attached is the video of the noise. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
If it's squeaking or squealing or whining, then yes.....99% likely it's the tensioner. They also tend to puke fluid and rattle on occasion. Look at the body of the tensioner and if it's covered in grunge, it leaked.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Is it leaking? That used to be reported here as a cause for replacement. I don't recall noting noise related to that, but an "Advanced search" across the C7 sections here should bring up a number of threads. All the best. 
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 125
From: Katy Texas
I have replaced mine twice, first when the original was leaking fluid and the second time when it started to rattle. From other post on this forum, others have also experienced issues with the tensioner. It is easy to replace if you decide to replace it yourself.
