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How to Change a Tensioner Pulley on a Ford F150?

If your Ford F150’s idler pulley isn’t turning smoothly, you may need to change your tensioner pulley. This is a much easier task than replacing the entire pulley, but it can be a bit tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. In this article, we’ll discuss the process step by step.

To change the tensioner pulley, first unscrew the bolt that attaches the pulley to the idler. If the bolt is too tight, it will break. To remove it, use a 1/2″ drive socket and twist the bolt counterclockwise until it pops out. Once it’s removed, you can clean off any buildup around the tensioner mount and tensioner. If you have to install the pulley and tensioner, use a second set of hands to hold them while you reinstall them. Also, use a diagram to see the proper belt routing.

If you have a 1997 or older Ford F150 with a 4.6-liter engine, you can follow the same procedure. You’ll need to remove a drain pan and place it in the direction of the upper radiator hose, which connects to the radiator. Next, remove the radiator clamp and twist and pull the hose from its fitting. If it’s a 7.3L engine, you’ll need to remove a special component for the radiator.

How Do You Change a Tensioner on a Ford F150?

I decided to learn how to change the tensioner pulley on my Ford F150. It is different from the idler pulley in that it causes more drag. Fortunately, I had bought a used pulley from a Ford Explorer and it was the same size as the original pulley. This will save me a lot of time. The rest of the process is pretty straight forward, but you should be able to complete it in no time.

First, remove the Tensioner Pulley. There are three bolts holding it on. The top bolt is the easiest to remove, since the fan is in the way. Unscrew the first one and screw in the new one. Make sure to torque it to between 15 and 22 ft/lbs. Installing the new belt is the hardest part, so it’s good to have a second pair of hands and a diagram to follow.

How Do You Change the Pulley Tensioner?

There are a couple of different ways to replace the tensioner pulley on your Ford F150. The easiest way is to replace the pulley bearing, as this is a simple job. The tensioner pulley, on the other hand, will cause more drag than the idler pulley and requires a few more steps. To change this pulley bearing, you’ll need to disassemble the crankshaft.

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First, you’ll want to identify which pulleys are causing the problems. If you’re experiencing a grinding noise, the tensioner isn’t working correctly. In addition, a failing tensioner can cause the belt to come loose. This can lead to accessories failing and loud noises. You can also look for signs that the tensioner is failing by listening for audible noises, which indicate the problem.

Once you’ve identified which parts of the engine are causing the belt to stretch, you can replace the tensioner. The tensioner pulley is located on the passenger side of the engine, above the AC compressor. Remove the stripped belt and cut off the bolts. Replace the tensioner and bolts in reverse order. If possible, use liberal anti-size on the bolt threads.

How Do You Fix a Noisy Pulley?

The noise from a noisy pulley can be very annoying, and sometimes it is difficult to figure out what is causing it. If the noise is coming from the idler pulley, tensioner pulley, water pump pulley, or other belted component, the pulley itself may be the culprit. If this is the case, you can replace it yourself in a matter of minutes.

The pulley may not spin at all, or it may be binding. To check whether the pulley is bad, use a serpentine belt tool or a breaker bar. The pulley must be installed correctly and torqued properly to prevent damage to the belt. The belt installation is the most difficult part of this process, so you may want to enlist the help of a second set of hands or a diagram.

If the noise is coming from the idler pulley, then it may be a worn-out pulley. A worn-out idler pulley will cause the belt to squeak, grind, and wobble, which may cause the noise. If the noise continues to worsen, it is most likely a pulley problem and will need replacement.

How Do You Remove a Tensioner Pulley Bolt?

If your timing belt is slipping or is making noises, you need to replace the tensioner pulley. If you’ve been operating your truck for a long time in abrasive off-road conditions, you may need to replace the tensioner pulley. You can easily replace the pulley by simply unscrewing the tensioner pulley bolt.

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First, remove the tensioner pulley bolt on the engine block. Then, use a 1/2″ drive ratchet to loosen it. Make sure to keep the ratchet secure while removing the tensioner. Once you’ve removed the tensioner, reinstall it by tightening the bolt to about 18 ft.-lbs. Installing the new pulley is the most difficult part, so it’s best to have a second pair of hands and a diagram to follow.

How Do You Know When to Replace a Belt Tensioner?

There are several signs that it’s time to replace your belt tensioner. If the arm of the tensioner is a bit loose, it’s an indication that the pulley is worn out and needs to be replaced. It should rotate freely with the engine off, and if the arm isn’t moving freely, it’s time to replace the tensioner.

Some models of Ford vehicles have nonadjustable belt tensioners, and some are nonadjustable. Generally, a spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner will cost around $20-$50 for the part and up to $170 for labor. It’s important to note that hydraulic belt tensioners tend to leak oil, and should be replaced with new ones.

Another symptom of a bad drive belt tensioner is chirping or rattling. You can still drive the vehicle if it’s only a couple minutes old, but it’s not a good idea. The vehicle might only last a few minutes before stalling, and you’ll have to deal with the loss of alternator power if the tensioner isn’t working.

Can a Belt Tensioner Making Noise?

If you’ve been driving your truck for awhile, you’ve probably heard a noise coming from the engine. It’s most likely coming from the belt tensioner, which is located on the timing chain. This noise is loud when the truck starts, especially if it’s been sitting for a few hours. It started before 02/2019, but it’s now a daily occurrence. While the problem may be relatively minor, it’s still worth investigating.

If you’re wondering, “Can a Belt Tensioner Make Noise on my Ford F150?”, you’ve come to the right place. Litens Automotive is the original equipment supplier for Ford. This replacement part is made to the same specifications as the original equipment part, but it doesn’t bear the car manufacturer’s part number or logo. The parts are designed for vehicles without air conditioning, and they come with a heavy-duty steel pulley. Ford doesn’t have a part number or logo for this one, but it does work.

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This issue may be more serious than first thought. Serpentine belts squeal during startup, and sometimes continuously. If this is the case, you may want to consider replacing the belt. For this process, you’ll need a 1/2-inch breaker bar and a belt-removal tool for the job. The belt tensioner itself is made of soft aluminum and is a very easy part to replace.

Are Tensioner Pulley And Idler Pulley the Same?

Are the Tensioner Pulley and Idler Pullley the Same on Ford F150? Yes, they are. If one fails, the others should be replaced too. This is because they are all made at the same time and likely have the same mileage. In fact, all pulleys can fail within a few thousand miles of one another. Likewise, if one fails, all other pulleys should be replaced as well.

The idler pulley is a component of the accessory belt system. It controls the routing of the accessory belt, which powers the alternator. The amount of belt contact with the idler pulley is what determines how much power is transferred from the engine to other parts of the vehicle. The idler pulley is mounted on a spring-loaded arm to ensure the belt is kept tight. When the idler pulley breaks, it affects the entire vehicle’s performance.

To replace the tensioner, you should use a T50 socket. The tensioner pulley is on the left side, while the idler pulley is on the right. Use sandpaper to remove any corrosion that has built up on it and create a flat surface. Install the new tensioner and new lower idler pulley. Make sure that the new idler pulley aligns with the tensioner. If you need to replace the Idler Pulley, you should replace it after every 50,000 miles.

Learn More Here:

1.) Latest on Ford F150

2.) Ford F Series – Wikipedia

3.) Official Ford Support

4.) F150 History