How Long Does a Drive Belt Tensioner Last?

In order to keep the proper tension on your vehicle's serpentine belt, a drive belt tensioner is used. This is a pulley that is either mounted to an adjustable pivot point or a spring mechanism. If you open up the hood of your car, you'll see that the serpentine belt is on the front of your engine. It is the long one. The pulley itself is found on the outside of the belt, which is how it adds tension or pressure.

The problem with the drive belt tensioner is that once it goes, it usually means replacing the pulleys and sometimes the drive belt itself. It’s not usually a one-part replacement job. While there is no set lifespan for the drive belt tensioner, it is suggested that you have it inspected each time you perform the regular routine maintenance of your drive belt system. This is a good way to detect early warning signs of any possible problems. It should be noted that the drive belt itself will most likely need replacing before the tensioner does. Drive belts typically last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

There aren't a lot of warning signs that a drive belt tensioner has hit the end of its lifespan, in fact there is really only one.

  • Once you start to hear a grinding or squeaking sound coming from your engine, it's time to have the drive belt tensioner looked at. It will get to the point that you hear this sound every single time you turn on the engine.

  • As the drive belt tensioner continues to break down, a variety of aspects of your vehicle will start to suffer. It can affect your alternator, power steering, and your air conditioning since they are all powered through the drive belt. These issues will just become more and more pronounced.

The drive belt tensioner can wear down over time, just due to normal wear and tear. It’s a good idea to have it inspected each time you have your belt system looked at. The goal is to replace it before it actually breaks down, and causes your vehicle to run less than perfectly.

If you’re experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms and suspect your drive belt tensioner is in need of replacement, get a diagnostic or book a drive belt tensioner replacement service with a professional mechanic.


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William

35 years of experience
731 reviews
William
35 years of experience
Honda CR-V L4-2.4L - Drive Belt Tensioner - Surprise, Arizona
William is very helpful and honest would recommend his services and expertise to anyone in need of a trustworthy mechanic.
Volvo XC70 - Drive Belt Tensioner - Peoria, Arizona
On time and the job was done correctly not tested on a long run yet but it’s running nicely. William overcame some unexpected disassembly problems around the battery box and did it in his stride.

Jean

16 years of experience
157 reviews
Jean
16 years of experience
Lincoln Navigator V8-5.4L - Drive Belt Tensioner - Seminole, Florida
Jean is great! On time every time, fast service, very knowledgeable and professional. Saved me time and money with this repair! Jean is my go to mechanic and I don’t trust my Navigator with just anyone. Thanks Jean!
Jeep Grand Cherokee - Drive Belt Tensioner - Tampa, Florida
Jean is one of the best mechanics I’ve had in years, he was very thorough, and he’s someone I’ll highly recommend to anyone

Corey

13 years of experience
511 reviews
Corey
13 years of experience
Acura ZDX V6-3.7L - Drive Belt Tensioner - Charlotte, North Carolina
Corey is exceptional!!! Great communication, excellent diagnosis of the issue(s) with my car and his work is top shelf!! Corey is HIGHLY recommended.
GMC Terrain - Drive Belt Tensioner - Cornelius, North Carolina
Took a little longer than expected for him to be able to fix it but it was due to parts and he always kept me updated about the situation. Overall very satisfied with Corey. When he did come to fix it, it literally took him 20 mins and he was done. Also very convenient that they came to me so I didnt have to tow it to a shop. Defintely recommend!

Marco

30 years of experience
329 reviews
Marco
30 years of experience
Acura TSX L4-2.4L - Drive Belt Tensioner - Corona, California
Really cool guy got the job done in the estimated time and was really knowledgeable about everything.

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Drive belts power electrical systems and other features in your car. An improperly adjusted drive belt can cause damage to your engine.
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Replacing the serpentine belt can be challenging, as it involves removing the tensioner and determining the correct route to install the new belt.
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Ignoring car problems costs more than fixing them right away. Never ignore if your car has rough shifting, a shaky steering wheel, or is smoking.

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