Belt/Tensioner Change

[V1DL3R]

My car has started to develop a squeak when cold. After some further investigation it appear to be from the belt on the passengers side of the engine (as mounted in the Noble) rather than from the serpentine belt. Also when diving this belt does seem to be audibly louder than previous - although I'm not sure if that is just paranoia or the fact that i'm listening for it.



I believe that it may be the tensioner which has actually gone as I can move it to some degree with my hand - which I don't think is normal? I've tracked down the part which seem to be: http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_cougar_belt_t... but can find very little info on it.

I'm no mechanic, but really keen to learn. I can find lots of information about changing the serpentine belt on the duratec but very little on this belt, has anyone had any issues with this before or had to change it themselves?

Any help, insight or advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[andygtt]

some of the later cars didn't use the tensioner at all and simply had a shorter belt.. the tensioner can be moved a little by hand but wouldn't be surprised if it has worn a little, should be cheap to replace and 10 mins max to fit

[V1DL3R]

Thanks Andy, you are a star!

Noob question: Just to confirm that this is the water pump belt?

[andygtt]

yep water pump belt

[Green3R]

when it squeaks, spray some belt dressing on it and see if it stops.(do this while it's running and squeaking).

Mine was just the belt squeaking.

at a pinch, use some silicone spray, or a very very light dust of wd40 maybe?

(I don't have the tensioner)

Though, if tensioner cheap, could be just as well to do that when the belt comes off.

[Jim O.]

Being able to move the tensioner by hand is normal - I do it all the time when I have to remove/install the water pump belt. Just make sure that the movement is only fore-and-aft, not side-to-side, and you feel the tensioning spring immediately when you start to compress it. I'd also remove the belt and spin the tensioning pulley to see if the bearing feels rough or squeaks. If you do this, you might as well replace the belt, since you have it off anyway...

[V1DL3R]

Thanks all for your help. I've figured that if I'm going to be fiddling around and taking the tensioner off to check it's tension I should just replace it anyway as they seem prone to failure. I've bought a new tensioner and belt. Will aim to fit this w/e.

Thanks again.