Belt tensioner

JASON MAJOR

MEMBER
1993 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
85,000 MILES

My alternator belt ended up like shredded and when I was trying to replace the belt it would not fit even with the tensioner push back all the way, there was still like about a 1/2 to go. O'Reilly's told us this was the right belt and when we compared it to the old belt it was like the same size. Can someone please help me with this issue?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,170 POSTS

If the belt is the same size, the only thing I can figure is that you are not following the proper routing diagram. Check that. If it still does not fit, make sure you have fully depressed the tensioner. They are tough to turn at times.

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Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 AT 6:50 PM

JASON MAJOR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the reply, and yes I followed the diagram, it is just like a 1/2 or less inch. To small and after you pull the tensioner pulley back its like 1/4 inch off and we yanked and push it as hard as we could, so my neighbor who is like a machine said that the spring is either broken or jammed. I called around places to find out how much pulley tensioners are.

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Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 AT 7:03 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,170 POSTS

If the tensioner is returning to the working position with pressure, chances are it is good. However, if it is not strong enough or damaged and you mentioned, it may be why the first belt broke. Let me know what you find. However, please reconfirm that the belt is fully at all points and it is the correct part.

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Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 AT 7:09 PM

JASON MAJOR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I was actually having my neighbor put the new belt on so I don't know that tension or pressure except when I tried to push it and it wouldn't move any further we just tried pushing harder and he said it should be a way easier job than this and apparently he thinks that the spring is jammed or broken and that's why the pully isnt going as far as it should so the belt can fit on the other polley, we were pushing after It wasnt moving any more at all.

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Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 AT 7:19 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS