1998 Saturn SC1 Problems

PAREDKAT

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SC1
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
171,000 MILES

Today when I was driving my car, there has been a winding noise and I thought I heard something fall off my car. Looking behind I didnt see anything but then immediately, problems started happening. My alternator light came on, my power steering was gone, and my temperature gauge shot to extremely hot. I pulled off to the side of the road and had someone pick me up. They said that it was the tensioner and that it basicallly broke even though the alternator belt was still good. My question is first of all, is this a correct diagnosis? And how much will it cost me to repair this tensioner?

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Open ur hood take a lokk at ur belt is it loose?Look at ur tensionar it's the pulley below ur alternator can u grab it and move it up and down freely?If u can bad tenisor and makes perfect sense from what u said happened.I would replace the belt too. If u have someone replace it about 25 for a belt get a good one not a cheap one and the tensior is about 163 for a factory one u can get a aftermart one for as cheap as 80 but I recomend the factory one on that part. The labor is 1.5hrs times 80-100 per hr depending on the shop rate. There easy to replace if ur handy with tools.U need a floor Jack wood sockets rachets wrenchs basic tools.U have to take off the upper mount and pop the side panel loose behind the wheel. If ur handy with tools not to hard. Let me know how it goes.