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Adjusting Belt Tension


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kingjim9
User

Jul 28, 2010, 7:06 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1450 views)
Adjusting Belt Tension Sign In

Hey guys, I'm replacing the Alternator belt on a 2000 dodge neon 2.0 L engine. I read a service manual for it on auto zone and it said to use a special tool that measures frequency and adjust the belt tension until it reaches 224-252 Hz for a new belt.

I don't have anything capable of measuring frequency, so I was wondering if there is anyway to do this without using that. Any tips will be appreciated!

Thanks,

-Jim


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 29, 2010, 4:40 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1442 views)
Re: Adjusting Belt Tension Sign In

I'm surprised this late still uses manual adjustment but if so you get a feel for deflection on longest stretch without a lot of pomp and circumstance. Err towards a touch loose and check again soon with a new belt as they change fast then become stable.

Too tight is hard on assorie's pulley bearings. Tight enough so it doesn't vibrate the belt nor allow turning pulleys by hand such that they slip.

There's usually a "defection" measurement on longest stretch vs some sound sensing way to set it??!!

T



kingjim9
User

Jul 29, 2010, 6:16 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1434 views)
Re: Adjusting Belt Tension Sign In

Alright, thanks Tom...I'm going to give it a go tomorrow. Someone told me to tighten it down so that you can just barely turn it 90 degrees at the center of the span between the 2 pulleys. And someone else told me to just crank it down as tight as i can, it can't be tight enough. (that obviouslly didn't seem like the right answer)

I was originally going to just kinda feel how tight the current belt is and use that kinda as a gauge but who says the current one's tightened town properly (especially after all the time it's been on there)

I did read though that with the new belt i should adjust it, fire up the engine & let it run for about 5 minutes, then adjust it again.

By chance do you know how much it should be able to deflect at the center of the two spans?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 29, 2010, 7:21 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1428 views)
Re: Adjusting Belt Tension Sign In

Whoever said tight as you can get it is all wrong. It needs be just right. It's easy to waste a good item in the pulley system by being too tight.

Tell tale of being too lose is a quick squeal right after start up as alternator drags for some power to put battery back to full charge.

A new belt as a replacement (used car) will absolutely stretch AND settle into existing pulley wear so I find it better to err to looser and some in ten minutes are where they will stay a long time.

You do this enough and know belt brands you get a sixth sense for it. Customers don't want to hear that you'll check it in a couple days and reset if needed so it's more common to leave them on the too tight side at the risk of causing harm down the road.

This is one great reason for most cars going for the spring loaded self tensioning pulley. Unless the tensioner is all wrong it doesn't need readjustment till time for another belt if belt wear has exceeded the range of self adjustment,

T







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