Can you drive with a bad idler pulley?

So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises. The car can still run for months or break after a few days.

What does an idler pulley sound like when it’s going out?

Idler pulley slippage is likely to follow after it becomes worn out enough. As a result, there will be squealing noises coming from the engine area that will only get worse until the pulley is replaced.

How do you know if you need a new idler pulley?

Visual Clues of a Worn Idler Pulley Such wear decreases tension that can cause significant belt slippage. If the pulley or bearing is noticeably damaged, cracking, breaking, seizing, or otherwise coming apart, it is an indication that it requires prompt replacement.

What happens when a tension pulley goes bad?

If the drive belt tensioner pulley has any sort of issue it can cause unusual and accelerated wear on the belt. A bad pulley can cause fraying on the edges of the belt, and in severe cases can even cause it to break. Other symptoms of a bad belt tensioner is failure of the belt driven accessories.

Can a bad idler pulley cause alternator problems?

Alternators are DRIVEN by the serpentine belt. All that happens when the belt disappears or pulleys seize is the alternator stops turning; there is NO possibility of damage to the alternator.

How do you diagnose a bad pulley?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Idler Pulley

1. Visibly worn pulleys. One of the first symptoms of an issue with an idler pulley is visible wear on the pulley.
2. Belt squealing. Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts.
3. Damaged bearing or pulley.

Is a tensioner pulley the same as an idler pulley?

The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. However, if bearings fail, tensioner and idler pulleys both require replacement.

What are the symptoms of a bad tensioner pulley?

Rust bleed and cracks. Appearance: Rust is bleeding between arm and base or dripping from the tensioner.

What causes crankshaft pulley failure?

Another way a pulley can fail is during the fitting process there has been an interruption with the assembly press or the friction bearing has been incorrectly pressed in. This can occur during the making and installation of the part with the vehicle.

Why is my idler pulley squealing?

Belt squealing Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts. If the surface of the idler pulley wears, or the pulley seizes or binds it may cause the engine belt to squeal as a result of it rubbing against the surface of the pulley.

How can you tell if a pulley is bad?

1 Squealing. When the engine is idling, a bad pulley may make a squealing sound. 2 Frozen. The bearings in a pulley may cause the pulley to freeze or in some cases hard to spin. 3 Belt Travel. Watching the belt as it travels over the pulleys will also determine if a pulley has gone bad. 4 Pulley Mounting.

What does the idler pulley do on a car?

The engine drive belts are routed in a specific manner around the various engine accessories, such as the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and AC compressor. The idler pulley is meant to provide another smoothly rotating point for the engine belt to loop around, so that the desired routing can be achieved.

What should I do if my idler pulley is frozen?

This is a frozen pulley. To confirm if your idler pulley is frozen, you have to slip the belt off the pulley. Before you start, make sure the engine is off and the keys are not in the ignition, just to make sure no one attempts to turn on the engine. With the belt off, try to spin the pulley with your hand a few times and observe its movement.