Belt Tensioner
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Atlanta
Belt Tensioner
I have a 1999 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0 V-6. I replaced the belt about 6 months ago and have been getting horrible squeling since. The belt I bought was pretty cheap. I was wondering if you think my tensioner needs to be replace along with buying a higher quality belt? Also how difficult is changing a tensioner? I looked at the tensioner today and did not see an obvious way to take the tensioner off. Thanks Brad
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Welcome to FTE Brad.
Avoid cheap parts, period.
Take the belt off so that you can check all the pulleys for play. If you don't find any problems with any pulleys, throw out the cheap belt and put a good one back on.
Don't be shy about buying parts right from Ford. You DO get the quality that you pay for.
Avoid cheap parts, period.
Take the belt off so that you can check all the pulleys for play. If you don't find any problems with any pulleys, throw out the cheap belt and put a good one back on.
Don't be shy about buying parts right from Ford. You DO get the quality that you pay for.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Randolph, NJ
Run the engine an look down at the pulleys as they are spinning, especially the tensioner. It's easy to tell if it is off line if it's running.
Sometimes the problem with cheap replacement belts is the size. Too short of a belt will make the tensioner be pulled out of range. The tensioners are made in a way that they pull themselves off of the line when you overtension with too short of a belt. Did you really have muscle the tensioner to get that sucker on there? You should only have to move the tensioner to the edge of it's "normal" range to slip the belt on, then it should pull back into the normal range if the belt is sized properly. There should be makings on the tensioner to make sure that it is in the normal range.
Tensioners are easy to change on the 3.0L. I got one from Rock Auto (who also have Motorcraft parts in their catalog if you don't want to go to a Ford Dealer). It is a one bolt change. Just take off the belt, back out the bolt, take the old one off, line the new one up and put the bolt in and tighten. Reinstall the belt and you are good to go.
-Jim
Sometimes the problem with cheap replacement belts is the size. Too short of a belt will make the tensioner be pulled out of range. The tensioners are made in a way that they pull themselves off of the line when you overtension with too short of a belt. Did you really have muscle the tensioner to get that sucker on there? You should only have to move the tensioner to the edge of it's "normal" range to slip the belt on, then it should pull back into the normal range if the belt is sized properly. There should be makings on the tensioner to make sure that it is in the normal range.
Tensioners are easy to change on the 3.0L. I got one from Rock Auto (who also have Motorcraft parts in their catalog if you don't want to go to a Ford Dealer). It is a one bolt change. Just take off the belt, back out the bolt, take the old one off, line the new one up and put the bolt in and tighten. Reinstall the belt and you are good to go.
-Jim
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Atlanta
Thanks for the advice. And yes the "cheaper" belt was very hard to get back on. It took two of us 15 min or so to get the belt back on. I am not sure if I need a tensioner or not. Besides "Gates" belts do you know of another good brand? My Ford dealer is not open on Sunday and that belt slipped off so my truck currently has not belt on it. I heard NAPA brand belts are made by "Gates". Thanks
