Accessory Belt Tensioner

Accessory belts need to regain the right levels of tension in order to function properly-else your alternator, power steering pump, water pump, compressor, among others will not get the power that they need. A tensioner in good working order maintains the exact level of tension at all times. Choosing the best one is hard because there simply are too many brands out there. That's why we took away all the guesswork, and pit two very popular brands head-to-head to determine which is the best one for you.

Build quality

When it comes to an accessory belt tensioner, these two brands are virtually indistinguishable from each other. The materials used are of the best quality polymers, so you can expect durability and resilience. In fact, there are virtually no complaints when comparing the two brands. There is somewhat of a difference when it comes to the solidity of the builds, though. Here, Febi comes off looking and feeling more "put together."

WINNER: Febi

Price point

AC Delco takes the lead when it comes to affordability. It costs a lot less than the accessory belt tensioner from Febi. Febi's tensioner has a more solid feel, but a problem lies in the price discrepancy. If you're one that wants to focus on bang-for-their-buck or affordability with no appreciable loss in quality, then AC Delco is a good choice.

WINNER: AC Delco

Diversity of choice

If your vehicle is very popular and relatively new, you don't really need to concern yourself much with availability-manufacturers will have a tensioner that matches your ride's engine. If you have a much older or less popular model, then diversity of choice is a very big concern. In this regard, AC Delco is the brand for you. They carry over 300 percent more types of tensioners that cover a wider set of engines and rides. You will not have a difficult time finding a match for your vehicle in their catalog.

WINNER: AC Delco

Verdict

If you're lucky enough to find a match for your engine and don't mind paying a couple of dollars more, Febi is a perfect investment-you just know it will last a long time. If, however, you're more concerned with affordability that doesn't compromise too badly on quality, then you can't go wrong with AC Delco.

Your car includes an accessory belt that drives the numerous ancillary components of the engine, including the alternator, A/C compressor, and the water pump. Meanwhile, the part that keeps it in place as it functions is called the accessory belt tensioner. If the belt starts to stretch and stops functioning normally, it might be time to replace the tensioner with a new one.

Required skill level: Intermediate

Needed tools and materials

3/8-inch drive breaker bar

3/8-inch drive metric socket set

3/8-inch drive ratchet

Disconnecting the power

Open the hood of your vehicle and secure it in place. Disconnect the battery so you will not accidentally touch an electrical connector or terminal while working around the engine. Look at the top of the fan shroud to see the accessory belt routing diagram; if it is not there, check the underside of the hood. Use this diagram to route the belt back around the pulleys in case the belt comes out of the pulleys when replacing the tensioner.

Locating the old accessory belt tensioner

Find the tensioner on the front of the engine. The accessory belt will be routed underneath the roller pulley, which is attached to the tensioner. Look for the bolt head in the middle of the roller pulley. You can rotate the accessory belt tensioner from there.

Removing the accessory belt

Using the breaker bar and a socket, turn the tensioner either clockwise or counterclockwise. This will help relieve the tension from the belt. You will see two holes protruding from the tensioner. Once you see the second one stick out from the component, stick the retaining pin through it to lock the tensioner in place. Then, reach under the roller pulley and slide the belt out. Let it hang down toward the other pulleys.

Removing the tensioner device

Look for the bolt that secures the tensioner to the front of the engine. Most tensioner devices have a bolt head in the middle of the spring-loaded arm of the tensioner. Some of them are attached to a bracket connected to the front of the engine by two or three bolts. Using the ratchet and a socket, remove the hardware that the tensioner device is attached to.

Installing the new accessory belt tensioner

Pull the tensioner off of the front of the engine and match it to the new component to make sure that the new stock is of the right size. Then, mount the new tensioner to the front of the engine and tighten the hardware back down tight using the ratchet and socket.

Reinstalling the rest of the components

With the new accessory belt tensioner installed, rotate it from the roller pulley again with the breaker bar and socket then slide the belt under the pulley. Slowly release the tensioner and remove the breaker bar. As it is retracting against the belt, the accessory belt tensioner will remove all of the slack out of the belt and bring it to the proper tension.

All systems go! Your car's engine isn't made up of only pistons and valves. It's also home to a number of important systems: cooling, ignition and power steering. What makes all these systems function is the accessory belt.That is why the accessory belt tensioner is so important. If there's too much slack in the belt, your car's engine could end up overheating, your steering could lose power assistance and your battery could lose its charge. All these systems are connected to the belt via pulleys.The tensioner itself is a pulley that can be adjusted to tighten the belt's hold over all the other pulleys. Don't take this too lightly - a loose belt can easily get caught by the crankshaft pulley and be torn apart, rendering all the other systems down and out.If adjusting the accessory belt tensioner doesn't tighten the belt enough, then it may be time to replace it. Auto Parts Deal should have the right tensioner for your car's engine type.


• Our tensioner's flat spring design reduces likelihood of bearing failure.

• Our belt tensioner feature a non-slip pulley surface prevents belt squeal.

• Our accessory belt tensioners provide a perfect fit.