Acessory belt tentioner

Tiny
WEEBLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 3.1L
  • 205,000 MILES
While driving going up hill but not a steep grade, the rps shot up and the car stopped running. Turn the key engine spins over and I smell fuel but wont start.I noticed the belt tension spring was giving out but not completely free of the block and the belt never actually came off the car
Thursday, January 21st, 2016 AT 8:24 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Unless the belt tore up the crank sensor or it's wiring, that belt won't cause it not to start.

Start with the basics if you don't see and obvious damage.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2016 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
WEEBLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks so much. Only the spring on the tension-er failed, the belt stayed in place. I will check the CPS and wireing.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2016 AT 9:19 AM

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