Drive Belt Tension

NOTE: The drive belt tensioner indicator mark inspection is done with the engine OFF at 160,000 km (100,000 mile) intervals.

Automatic tensioners are calibrated at the factory to provide the correct amount of tension to the belt, for a given FEAD system. Unless a spring within the tensioner assembly breaks, or some other mechanical part of the tensioner fails, there is no need to check tensioners for proper tension.

The only mechanical check that need be made, if there is any doubt as to the tensioner function, would be to remove the belt, in the area of the tensioner, to avoid belt contact, then using the proper tool, rotate the tensioner from its relaxed position thru its full stroke and back to the relaxed position to assure that there is no "stick, grab, bind", and to assure that there is tension on the tensioner spring. It is a normal condition for the tensioner to be moving under certain conditions while the engine is running. If the tensioner meets these criteria, it should be assumed to be a good tensioner.

Locate the tab on the drive belt tensioner mounting plate. The tab should be approximately between the stops on the drive belt tensioner arm.