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Serpentine belt and tensioner

Tiny
SLEARY11
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 73,000 MILES
I brought my car to the dealership to get an oil change and asked them to check the belts. My car makes a VERY MINOR squealing noise occasionally in the morning when it is cold and I start it, but goes away immediately. Of course, they say the belt and the tensioner need to be replaced, along with the normal laundry list of "suggested" (ie expensive) services. My husband and I do not believe this is the actual problem, as my husband said the sound would be much worse and frequent if that was the case. Does this seem like a problem my car could have with only 73000 miles on it?
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Friday, October 17th, 2008 AT 8:37 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
It is possible that the tensioner/belt need to be changed, unusual on an '06 but possible.

I would have the tensioner and belt changed, and make sure you tell Toyota that you expect this repair to stop the squeak.

As far as the laundry list. Check the owners manual for scheduled maint. If it is on their list but not on the factory maint. Schedule, point that out to Toyota.

REPLACEMENT
1. REMOVE ENGINE UNDER COVER RH

2. REMOVE FAN AND GENERATOR V BELT
a. Turn the drive belt tensioner clockwise to relieve tension on the belt, and then remove the belt.
B. Carefully return the tensioner to the unloaded position.

NOTICE:
Be sure to connect SST and the tools so that they are inline when using.
When retracting the tensioner, turn it clockwise slowly in 3 sec. Or more. Be sure to not apply force rapidly.
After the tensioner is retracted all the way, do not apply force any more than necessary.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Saturday, October 18th, 2008 AT 6:44 AM
Tiny
DANAHOLDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
Should I have to have my belt tensioner every year? Every year when it gets cold my car starts making a screeching sound & the dealership changes the tensioner. They have replaced mine 4 times since I have had the car. I was also told that I needed to change the belt every year. Is this correct?
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 1:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
No, that isn't correct. Most belts last more than 30K miles. As far as the tensioniers, they usually go around 100K.
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 1:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CROISIER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA
2002 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl

The bolt that holds the belt tensioner assembly to the engine block has broke inside the threaded hole in the block.
1. Would you expect this was from vibration or over-tightening?
2. What size and how long is this bolt?
3. What's involved in fixing this problem and how many hours would expect it to take to fix?

Thank you!
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
It is hard to say if the fastener failed because of vibration or it was overtghtened.

If it broke even with the surface, it will have to be drilled out, if enough of it is sticking out a "bolt out" tool can remove it.
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)

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