Failed inspection - belt/pulley question

[RagingBITCH]

I took my car in to get a state inspection done. The guy wouldn't let it pass because he noticed the belt moving back and forth on a particular pulley. On the papers it said alternator pulley - from looking at some diagrams online it's the auto tensioner pulley?

The pulley it appears to be moving back and forth on is right below where the pulley attaches to the AC condenser. I uploaded a video hoping that it shows the movement. It probably moves back and forth about a 1/2 cm. The pulley itself is tight, and I couldn't see any other pulleys actually loose. Belt looks like it was in good condition, and the pulley (where the belt is moving) is smooth surfaced.

Any ideas on what the issue could be, and/or what needs to be fixed?

(EDIT - from watching a YT video, someone says that is the auto-tensioner pulley that is smooth/loose moving back and forth on. Could it just be that I need to try to tighten it up? How would it come loose to start?)

Thanks in advance. -Mel


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B67_E0bor8euaHc3YWVDdnBOWk0/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B67_E0bor8eud3kwa3JmRndBbHc/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B67_E0bor8euTnd5c19nbFM1Z1k/edit?usp=sharing

 

[boomerang]

I'd hate to have to spend money on a repair based on some guy thinking that was the alternator pulley. Thank goodness we don't have state inspections where I live.

That appears to be a tensioner pulley. The tensioners themselves get a little sloppy over time. Replacing it should make the idiot happy. I have seen buildup on that small smooth pulley make belts 'walk' like that. Removing it and cleaning off the buildup/residue can make the belt track true and makes it quieter too.

If I replaced the tensioner, I would replace the pulley too. The bearings in them won't last forever.

 

[WilliamM2]

The camera's moving around too much for me to tell, but it's probably a bad bearing on the tensioner pulley, causing it to wobble. Replace it.

I'm surprised that would cause you to fail inspection. I thought they just looked for safety issues.

 

[RagingBITCH]

The camera's moving around too much for me to tell, but it's probably a bad bearing on the tensioner pulley, causing it to wobble. Replace it.

I'm surprised that would cause you to fail inspection. I thought they just looked for safety issues.

Sorry...didn't do the best job. The belt is just moving left/right on that tensioner pulley about 1/2cm. And yea, never had an issue with inspection before. :|

 

[RagingBITCH]

I'd hate to have to spend money on a repair based on some guy thinking that was the alternator pulley. Thank goodness we don't have state inspections where I live.

That appears to be a tensioner pulley. The tensioners themselves get a little sloppy over time. Replacing it should make the idiot happy. I have seen buildup on that small smooth pulley make belts 'walk' like that. Removing it and cleaning off the buildup/residue can make the belt track true and makes it quieter too.

If I replaced the tensioner, I would replace the pulley too. The bearings in them won't last forever.

Should I just remove the pulley and try cleaning it off first? Or just go ahead and get the full on tensioner w/ pulley? Anything car wise and I'm a bit clueless. Thanks boom!

 

[skyking]

typically belts are installed/removed using a 1/2" breaker bar into the tensioner arm.
I'd remove the belt from the upper pulley only, using the breaker bar to relieve tension.
Then reach in there and give the pulley a spin. If the pulley bearing is bad you will hear it and feel it.

 

[boomerang]

Should I just remove the pulley and try cleaning it off first? Or just go ahead and get the full on tensioner w/ pulley? Anything car wise and I'm a bit clueless. Thanks boom!

The one's I've seen have had streaks of what looks like belt material kind of fused to them. Easy to see when it's not running.

In the video, it looked like the pulley itself was not wobbling but viewing it over the internet may not be the best way to determine that. As was said, it may be bearings gone bad in the pulley. Easy to check as was pointed out in earlier posts. Yeah, I would check that first.

 

[BUTCH1]

The one's I've seen have had streaks of what looks like belt material kind of fused to them. Easy to see when it's not running.

In the video, it looked like the pulley itself was not wobbling but viewing it over the internet may not be the best way to determine that. As was said, it may be bearings gone bad in the pulley. Easy to check as was pointed out in earlier posts. Yeah, I would check that first.

Yea, just release the tension on the belt, (you don't have to fully remove it) and check the pulley and see if it floats around, if it does it needs replacing, probably not too bad $$ wise or you could go to a bone-yard and get a used one for like $10..

 

[DaTT]

That failed a safety? Was this guy a rookie? I'd tell him that its hard for a belt to "wander" when it's guided by ribs.

But yes, I'd say the bearings are on their way out.

 

[ccrocket]

The Guy that told you this is just trying to make some $$$$$ off of you. I live in one of the worse states for car inspections. even when they were at there worst they NEVER lifted the hood on my car to check the engine compartment.
Did you take it to a State Certified Inspection Station or the State Inspection Station. take the time and go to the State Inspection Station. The Certified ones are pure mechanics trying to make extra ease money. That tensioner is not bad. that is normal belt movement.
Take the car some where else!

 

[JulesMaximus]

The camera's moving around too much for me to tell, but it's probably a bad bearing on the tensioner pulley, causing it to wobble. Replace it.

I'm surprised that would cause you to fail inspection. I thought they just looked for safety issues.

Well, if that fails it would leave you without power steering. That kind of is a safety issue.

 

[LTC8K6]

The safety inspection here in NC includes the power steering system, and it includes looking at the serpentine/power steering belt with the engine running.

 

[jagec]

Well, if that fails it would leave you without power steering. That kind of is a safety issue.

well...not really, but I can see why they would use that as an excuse.

 

[JCH13]

The camera's moving around too much for me to tell, but it's probably a bad bearing on the tensioner pulley, causing it to wobble. Replace it.

I'm surprised that would cause you to fail inspection. I thought they just looked for safety issues.

Well, if that fails it would leave you without power steering. That kind of is a safety issue.

well...not really, but I can see why they would use that as an excuse.

What if the belt snaps, the engine shuts off (dead battery/no alternator), and you lose power brakes? Is that a safety issue?

 

[NutBucket]

Well losing the alternator wouldn't cause an immediate loss of power unless the battery was dead

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well losing the alternator wouldn't cause an immediate loss of power unless the battery was dead

It would cause an immediate loss of power steering and depending on your speed and the weight of the vehicle that could make it very difficult to turn, certainly much harder than it would be normally and that could cause an accident.

Definitely a safety issue IMO.

 

[JCH13]

Well losing the alternator wouldn't cause an immediate loss of power unless the battery was dead

Like I originally posted...

What if the belt snaps, the engine shuts off (dead battery/no alternator), and you lose power brakes? Is that a safety issue?

And the battery would eventually die...

 

[LTC8K6]

You should not lose your power brakes until after you have safely stopped, unless you are inattentive. You would have some reserve vacuum to give you a few chances to get stopped once you realize the situation.

Or possibly your reserve vacuum system is not in good shape...

But overall, yes. It's certainly a safety issue to lose the belt.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Didn't realize others had responded back...it's been a while since I've been on AT!

Long story short - ended up changing the serpentine belt and belt tensioner pulley. There's an alignment marker on the K24 engines - it indicated just the belt needed replacing, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to replace the $20 pulley if the bearings were bad too.

I'm hardly mechanically inclined, and got a little nervous messing around with the belt, but it was the easiest 10 minute swap I've done in a long time. Car passed inspection once I brought it back in, and the start-up squeal (mostly when humid/wet outside) is now gone. Thanks for the help guys

 

[halik]

What state does this?

 

[RagingBITCH]

What state does this?

TX. Normally they only check lights are all fine, tires are "safe" to drive on, emissions, and a few other random odds and ends. First time I've had anyone point this stuff out, but this was at a car wash joint that's frequented by people that make gobs of money. Regardless, belt needed to be changed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

TX. Normally they only check lights are all fine, tires are "safe" to drive on, emissions, and a few other random odds and ends. First time I've had anyone point this stuff out, but this was at a car wash joint that's frequented by people that make gobs of money. Regardless, belt needed to be changed.

New York State does this too, in fact, there are 17 states that have a periodic vehicle safety inspection. I was kind of surprised when I moved to California that there is no annual vehicle inspection required in this state.

 

[NutBucket]

Even my Libertarian leanings can't deny that requiring an annual safety inspection is a good idea. Too many hooptys and/or ignorant/clueless car owners out there.