Many important compartments play crucial roles in a car’s overall performance. However, certain automobile guidelines tend to skip idling pulleys in their instruction, which is a grave mistake!
Without them, accident risks and other mishaps on the road will increase tenfold. But what is an idler pulley, and how can we ensure it’s always well-kept?
This article has all the answers you are looking for. Here, you will learn how these devices work, the symptoms of failing pulleys, and the corresponding solutions.
Let’s dive in right away!
What Is An Idler Pulley?
First of all, what exactly is an idling pulley? In short, they are a core element of the belt system in your vehicle, helping you regulate how these belts run from their crankshafts to produce movements in engine accessories and the remaining automobile parts.
“Serpentine belts” is another phrase to refer to those engine belts, especially when they slide through various pulleys.
They operate across vehicle alternators, mechanical power steering hoses, water pump, and AC compressors.
The belt often rests on a string of idling pulleys – along with other similar pulleys.
Manufacturers often provide clear belt diagrams to help customers navigate the ideler pulley positions – often in a hood sticker or an automobile manual.
In most car models, idler pulleys serve as an adjustment point for engine belt replacement, and each process often involves at least one belt.
During these modifications, mechanics often use tensioners to offer the right timing belt tension level.
Meanwhile, other vehicle owners count on screws to lose or gain tension, pushing the ideler pully to release its tension.
Next, they can roll the belt tensioner to tighten the automotive belts, ensuring they operate as they should.
Still, such flexibilities mean the idler pullies are susceptible to many wear and tear risks.
Some products comprise cheap materials that easily degrade after a short time or distance; hence, mechanics often recommend replacing them in yearly or even monthly car maintenance sessions.
Yet, pulleys can still last much longer than specialty belts; the latter frequently experience cracking and dry rot, calling for periodical checks for replacement.
Seasoned drivers would like to inspect both the engine pulleys and the belts simultaneously (after all, they are tightly intertwined) to know whether these parts are still in their best shape.
There are some notable symptoms of a failing pulley wheel, which we will gladly return to in the latter half of this article.
How Tensioners and Idler Pulleys Differ?
Tensioners and idling pulleys have close connections, combined to foster the accessory belt’s solid tension.
However, they are not 100% identical. First of all, let’s look at a brief overview of tensioners.
What Is Tensioner?
A vehicle tensioner guarantees adequate belts tension during drives, ensuring its pulleys can move easily to control the automobile engines.
The original components of a belts tension include:
- Pulleys
- Base
- Pitman arm (different from idler arms)
- Output shafts
- Distant shafts
- Input shaft
- Spring mechanism
- Pinch roller chain
- Hook hole
All the items listed above are interconnected.
Hence, if you wish to modify the tensioner position, tread with extra caution; your failures might lead to problems in the outputs shaft and other typical automobile parts, chewing both your money and precious time!
The Major Distinction
The biggest difference between idler pulleys and tensioners is the involvement of adjustable bolts.
While tensioners are placed on bolts via mounting methods, idler pulleys never get mounted onto adjustable bolts.
Hence, their purposes slightly differ despite lots of similarities at first glance. Tensioners provide pressure for pulley driving while reducing stress on the belt itself.
Such a feat is achieved thanks to spring loading procedures. On the other hand, idlers spin in overarching movements to adjust the belt to a specific position.
Regardless of these distinctions, once the pulley bearing fails, both of them will call for requirements at the same time. Listen closely to detect odd noises (squealing and grinding sounds) or wobbling pieces.
Symptoms of Substandard or Failing Idler Pulleys
1. Visible Wears
One of the most notable symptoms of technical issues with idling pulley compartments lies in the transparent wear on their shells.
Frequent pulley-spinning against the belt will wear it down over time, and this excessive contact might lead to the surface’s palpable scoring marks.
In the end, both the belts and the tensioner pulley will break down to the extent that all tensions are lost, making the belt slip easily.
2. Squealing Sounds
Another popular signal that all car owners should pay close attention to is the engine belt’s incessant squealing sounds.
Once the idling surface wears down, the engine belt will constantly rub against the pulley’s inner parts, causing loud squealing noises.
In some other instances, the pulley may slip or bind, which also leads to annoying sounds. The more worn-down the pulleys become, the more noises they produce, worsening the issue over time.
3. Damaged Sleeve Bearing Devices
Want to find an even more obvious signal? Then the best place to look for is the bearing. Serious damage will cause it to crack and break (or even come apart in more severe conditions.
The belt rotation will get upset, leading to all the worst technical problems one can imagine. Many accidents have stemmed from the conveyor belt falling apart off the engine, after all!
Stalling and overheating issues (especially after gas injection) will also occur without engine belts, which is quite easy to notice.
How To Keep Idler Pulleys in Optimal Conditions? Maintenance Tips
Sadly, not many things can be done in this regard, as tears and wear are a normal part of their life cycle.
No matter how well-kept they are, these devices will inevitably call for a decent replacement at some point.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to try extending its life a little by maintaining a clean and non-polluted engine component for the pulleys. Check the below video:
A tank with no excessive moisture and debris will ensure the idle pully can live up to its best potential!
Conclusion
So what is an idler pulley, and how does it work to foster continuous belt tension? We believe our detailed guidelines have more than enough answers for you.
Though they will face inevitable breakdown regardless of maintenance methods, we still strongly suggest you clean the engine compartment often to keep moisture at bay.
That will certainly lengthen their lifespan to some extent! Do you still have more questions or reservations regarding the question, What does idler pulley do?
No worries; just write to us. Our support team always welcomes your feedback and comments!
For more tips to check belts tensions, click here.