Serpentine belt tensioner

Hi there, chaps. Today's issue!

Missus came in from starting the car saying it was "making funny noises and ALTERNATOR FAULT" was showing on the dash.

I dragged myself out and the serpentine belt was hanging loose. I noticed the top tensioner was out of place so I sprang it back to the tensioned position. Started the car up and took it round the block and all seems fine. However, I'm worried it may do it again when she's driving along and she won't notice until it is too late.

What could cause the tensioner to knock itself loose like that? I've got a fear but I'm studiously ignoring the possibility until someone says it!

I probably ought to mention that the water pump was new last summer and the alternator was new a few years ago.

Any ideas welcome!

If it's doozel look at the tensioner ram. If it's worn at either end a shock load from power steering pump or alternator cutting in can send it over centre. This. Fan Belt Tensioner Ram STC4168 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

Cheers. At that price it is almost worth doing it anyway.

Is this the pulley that goes on the end? Fan Belt Tensioner Pulley STC2128 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

If I'm going to do it then might as well do the lot.

Grrrrrr said:

Cheers. At that price it is almost worth doing it anyway.

Is this the pulley that goes on the end? Fan Belt Tensioner Pulley STC2128 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

If I'm going to do it then might as well do the lot.

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Yep. Know about it cause had same problem with mine. Bushes at end of ram get knackered so it effectively becomes shorter, loses tension and is easier to flick over centre.

Excellent. That sounds plausible. It does look original so has done a fair few miles. Nearly 20 years old so not done too badly.

Cheers.

wammers said:

Yep. Know about it cause had same problem with mine. Bushes at end of ram get knackered so it effectively becomes shorter, loses tension and is easier to flick over centre.

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What are you talking about Tony? getting knackered, becomes shorter, loses tension and easier to flick over.

tomcat59alan said:

What are you talking about Tony? getting knackered, becomes shorter, loses tension and easier to flick over.

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The missus. And when she's not around, the wife.

Had the same thing happen to mine a few times, problem went away after the water pump spat its bearings out one day! Might be worth a look at spinning the pump without belt on, my pump wasnt that old and didnt leak.

my did it once, bolts and nuts under the alternator came out ,,

tomcat59alan said:

What are you talking about Tony? getting knackered, becomes shorter, loses tension and easier to flick over.

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Come to think of it, could be an apt description of another more personal item.

Update!

Well, the tensioner didn't look too bad until I compared it to the new one and realised it was about an inch shorter! Wish I'd taken a photo but I was tired, it was dark and of course as soon as I had it off it started to rain!

Anyway, all replaced, compressed several times and released in case any air needed bleeding and fingers are now crossed!

What's inside that tensioner? A spring surrounded by oil?

Grrrrrr said:

Update!

Well, the tensioner didn't look too bad until I compared it to the new one and realised it was about an inch shorter! Wish I'd taken a photo but I was tired, it was dark and of course as soon as I had it off it started to rain!

Anyway, all replaced, compressed several times and released in case any air needed bleeding and fingers are now crossed!

What's inside that tensioner? A spring surrounded by oil?

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Just a spring i think, but not sure never disected one.

I'll put it next to the brake modulator and other piles of scrap I mean to find time to disect.

Just about to do this to mine as i noticed last night i can push on the serp belt with little force and the tensioner compresses...

Mine went pop kept tension with a ratchet strap haha

Mines not let the tension go its just easily compressed so defo needs a new one... I can only find the ****part tensioner like the one in the link by Wammers... can anyone point me in the direction of a genuine part please.

Littelwill said:

Mines not let the tension go its just easily compressed so defo needs a new one... I can only find the ****part tensioner like the one in the link by Wammers... can anyone point me in the direction of a genuine part please.

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It was indeed Britpart but it seems to work OK. I'll let you know how long it lasts. It isn't massively under tension with the new one to be fair but it does spring back nice and quickly if I compress it.

Littelwill said:

Mines not let the tension go its just easily compressed so defo needs a new one... I can only find the ****part tensioner like the one in the link by Wammers... can anyone point me in the direction of a genuine part please.

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Here you go. Tensioner - Serpentine Ancillary Drive Belt - Diesel - Genuine Land Rover at www.rimmerbros.co.uk

cheers wammers got one ordered. If these things cause havoc when they fail Im not trusting BP got a few big trips coming up this year dont want that failing. Its not done bad at 16 years old,

Littelwill said:

cheers wammers got one ordered. If these things cause havoc when they fail Im not trusting BP got a few big trips coming up this year dont want that failing. Its not done bad at 16 years old,

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If it's the £92.00 one you want your bumps feeling. I have had a Britpart one on mine for two years no problems at all.