A failing timing belt tensioner is bad for the car as it can cause dangers related to its engine. But how can you determine if your timing belt tensioner is malfunctioning?
There are various indications that you can spot to know if your timing belt tensioner is failing, from the sounds of the engine to how it starts. This article will discuss some of the significant signs that will help you tell if your timing belt tensioner needs a repair.
1. Weird Sound
One of the symptoms of a failing timing belt tensioner is the car’s weird sound, which is very annoying. If the tension loses, you may hear high-pitch noises. And if the pulley bearing fails, the vehicle would make much more annoying sounds, like grinding or squealing.
If you can recall, the timing belt cover keeps the tensioner firmly in place. If you listen closely, you should be able to hear a noise like a slapping sound that’s very different from usual and shouldn’t be heard anywhere near a car.
Once you begin to hear a high-pitched sound, it’s likely that the pulley of the tensioner has been displaced. If you start hearing a squealing sound, it could indicate that the belt has come to total failure, and you must seek immediate action from experts. Shops that offer a seat belt repair service can help you with these matters.
2. Check Engine Light Is On
One of the easiest ways to determine if you have a malfunctioning timing belt tensioner is to look at your engine light. The check engine light turns on whenever the system detects a problem in the car. It indicates that the car engine is not functioning correctly.
The light on the dashboard will be on if the timing belt tensioner is loose. You should be able to notice the timing valve going off, which causes the light to turn on.
Although this symptom is one of the easiest ways to determine if the timing belt tensioner fails, it is not quite perfectly reliable. The reason is that there could be many other issues that could lead to the indicator turning on.
To confirm that the belt tensioner is the reason, you can resort to using an OBD2 scanner. OBD2 is a tool that you can use for further diagnosis of a car engine. The tool reveals codes that will tell you what kind of problem the engine is experiencing.
3. Car Engine Will Not Start
Sometimes you resort to using the starter motor of your vehicle, but it does not work. The reason could be because of a bad tensioner. A failing tensioner will typically cause a loose timing belt, making it unable to grip the gears of the car engine.
Final Thoughts
A failing timing belt tensioner requires immediate action before symptoms get worse. If you want to stay safe while on the road, you should look for a reputable mechanic to fix it right away. Mechanics will be able to check out your car engine thoroughly—and only experienced ones can make it right.
If you are looking for the right seat belt repair shop to help fix your belt timing tensioner, you should check out Seat Belt Restore. We offer pretensioners, tensioners, buckles, and retractors to get your car at the best state after an accident or problem. Check out our products today to learn more.