pretty much-the 2 get confused all the time. Technically a tensioner is an assembly with a spring and an idler is a fixed pulley-most newer cars have both.
If you are referring to the Serpentine belt, you loosen no pulley. You simply remove tension from the belt. The tension is applied by the Idler Pulley. Pry the idler back and remove the belt.If you are referring to the Serpentine belt, you loosen no pulley. You simply remove tension from the belt. The tension is applied by the Idler Pulley. Pry the idler back and remove the belt.
To apply tension
No, the tensioner pulley and the idler pulley are not the same, although they serve similar functions in a vehicle's serpentine belt system. The tensioner pulley is designed to maintain the proper tension on the belt, while the idler pulley guides the belt and helps maintain its path. In a 1998 Chevy Cavalier, the tensioner pulley is adjustable to compensate for belt wear, whereas the idler pulley is typically fixed.
Replace the tensioner assembly as one piece.
An idler pulley is a pulley that does not drive and is not connected to any device that is driven. It serves to either tension a belt or to route a belt to clear an obstacle.
Most idler pulley's are near the top and usually quite easy to get to. Press on the belt somewhere, enough to deflect it a couple inches and watch to see which pully is mounted on a tension spring. That is the idler pulley.
There is no tension adjustment. Tension is automatically adjusted by the idler pulley.
Requires two person team. Step One: Look at serpentine belt diagram on front of engine. Arrow points to idler tension pulley. (Front Left side of engine) Loosen this 15mm bolt. Step Two: Loosen Idler pulley bolt - 15mm. Step Three: One person push down on idler tension pulley with tire removal tool or cheater bar on front left of engine while second person lifts belt off alternator. Step Four: Remove Idler pulley and replace with new one. Tighten bolt to idler pulley Step Five: One person push down on idler tension pulley with while the other fits belt on alternator and around idler pulley. Step Six: Make sure belt fits as noted on belt diagram and Tighten bolt on idler tension pulley (front left side of engine). Approximate time: 10 minutes
It's on the center of the idler pulley
The idler pulley on any vehicle is used to maintain the proper tension on the vehicle's belt(s). without it belt maintenance would be difficult.
If it does not drive anything it could be an idler pulley.
To replace the idler pulley on a 2004 Saturn Vue, first, disconnect the battery and relieve tension on the serpentine belt using a wrench on the tensioner pulley. Remove the serpentine belt from the idler pulley, then unbolt the old idler pulley from its mounting bracket. Install the new idler pulley, reattach the serpentine belt, and finally reconnect the battery. Always ensure the belt is properly aligned before starting the engine.