1999 Saturn SL2 Drive Belt Tensioner

KMCGINLEY

MEMBER
1999 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

I had the belt replaced about 6K ago and unfortunately had a neighborhood joe do the labor, resulting in the threads on the tensioner bolt to get ripped. Because the bolt was seated incorrectly, it was vibrating, causing a pinging sound. The sound went away, however, I guess because it "settled" into a certain spot within the bolt. Now it's pinging again whenever the engine is running, and louder when the A/C is on. I'm wondering if just the bolt can be replaced or if the whole tensioner unit has to be replaced, which would probably mean taking the belt off and putting it back on?

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

First of all thank you so much for your donation. So your talking about the center bolt that hold's the pulley on right?If so is it not screwed all the way in tight against the pulley's center bearing?Causing the pulley to move around?

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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 AT 11:54 AM

KMCGINLEY

MEMBER
14 POSTS

Yes that's the bolt but I don't think the pulley is moving around-just the bolt is not tight, causing it to vibrate-if the bolt threads are bad, does that mean that the piece it's screwing into has to be replaced too? Probably, huh.

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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 AT 11:28 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

If the tensioner is moved sometimes when you replace the belt and it was weak that could cause the tensioner to let go all the way. But yes if the bolt's thread's are damaged you will have to replace the housing. If you replace the tensioner I would get a dayco brand one alot of the aftermarket one's I have found rattle.

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Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 AT 1:37 PM