If you pop the hood of a modern car that has a diesel engine, you will notice at least one serpentine belt tensioner running underneath. The serpentine belt is quite different from your conventional timing belt, though most people tend to confuse the two. The primary purpose of a serpentine belt is to drive accessories such as the alternator or the air compressor through your engine. As you can imagine, this belt is likely to suffer from problems every now and then.
Weird Sounds
One of the most common problems you are likely to experience with a serpentine belt tensioner is when it starts making a weird sound. This technically indicates a problem with the serpentine belt as well and you need to think about taking it to a mechanic for repairs. In some cases, the sound might continue for months before the belt breaks. In other situations, the belt may break within a few days after you start noticing the sound. There’s also a warning light in the car that’s designed to let you know when the tension on the belt reduces or increases.
Oil Leaks
In case oil starts leaking from the tensioner, you will have to take it for repairs at a professional workshop. They will need to check the cause of the problem and then apply an appropriate fix. Naturally, this is going to cost you quite a bit of money depending on the source of the leakage. It’s best to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
