The role played by a car generator cannot be overestimated. This important unit ensures not only the efficient operation of the car’s electrical wiring, lighting fixtures and other consumers of electrical energy when the car’s engine is turned on. The operation of the car’s ignition system directly depends on it, as well as such a useful function as recharging the battery while the engine is running. Therefore, it is very important that the car generator works properly and uninterruptedly.
However, like any other complex technical unit, it requires careful prevention and meticulous self-care.
Even if the generator is connected according to all the rules, its individual components fail over time.
Typical generator failures
A car generator is a rather complex device, including various parts, components and mechanisms. But if we talk about breakdowns of this unit, they happen mainly not with internal, but with external parts and components.
One of the most common malfunctions in the operation of a car generator is usually considered to be damage to the drive belt. Moreover, the weakest point is not the circuit itself, which has a fairly large margin of safety, but the generator belt tensioner roller, which needs replacement over time.
It would seem like a very insignificant detail, which is also very inexpensive (the cost of tension rollers will be discussed below), but what a great significance it has! This article will discuss whether it is possible to replace the generator belt tensioner roller with your own hands and how to correctly carry out this procedure.
After all, if not every malfunction occurs, the car owner is obliged to immediately rush to the nearest car service center for the help of highly qualified experts. A car enthusiast can easily do some work on his own.
Full check
A full belt check is carried out in situations where:
- the vehicle mileage exceeds the standard value;
- when it is not possible to restore its normal tension on a belt that has not yet exhausted its service life.
In these situations, the alternator belt is first removed from the engine. A new one is installed in the following cases:
- if the old one has mechanical damage: fraying of the edges, tears of teeth and parts of the groove protrusions, tears and cracks;
- there is a noticeable decrease in thickness;
- at an unacceptably high stretch.
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Mechanical damage is checked visually. To identify them more reliably, it is recommended to bend the belt in different directions. To check the level of elongation, compare the new and old belts, which should not differ in length.
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Types of parts
Today, the generator belt tensioner roller can be of two types:
- Eccentric. That is, a roller with a shifted center of gravity.
- Special movable bracket. The tensioner roller is mounted on it.
It is necessary to understand that parts intended for makes and models of cars from different manufacturers may have their own design features. That is, the Lacetti generator belt tensioner pulley is unlikely to work correctly on an Opel car or any other.
However, parts from some manufacturers have a certain degree of interchangeability. However, this degree can only be determined by highly professional specialists who have the necessary theoretical knowledge and rich practical experience.
Replacing a part yourself
Despite the importance of stable and trouble-free operation of a car generator, the complexity of the device and the need for precise adjustment of all components and parts, in order to replace the generator belt tensioner roller, you do not need to be an expert in the field of knowledge about the structure of the car. With some skill, the car owner himself can perform such an operation, without turning to specialists from a car service center or service station. How exactly to do this?
When does it become necessary to replace the tension roller? The main component of the tension roller, which is often called the “Lenix”, is a regular bearing. When in good condition, the Lenix rotates easily and absolutely silently. But when the bearing fails or wears out, the tension roller begins to make a very characteristic noise. This leads to a very obvious conclusion. If the generator belt tensioner pulley whistles, it needs immediate replacement!
The fact is that a faulty element affects the operation of not only the generator itself, but also the engine valve group.
Purpose and functions of the generator belt tensioner roller
The alternator belt tensioner ensures uninterrupted operation of the vehicle's alternator, which is the main source of electrical power for the vehicle. Normal operation of the generator drive is ensured only taking into account the required tension of the generator drive belt.
On most domestic and foreign cars, a special device is used to ensure proper tension - a belt tensioner. The specified generator belt tensioner is characterized by a simple design, is attached to the internal combustion engine block using a separate bracket and is based on the following basic elements:
- tension roller with bearing;
- tension roller bolt;
As for mounting the bracket, this element is mounted on the engine using several bolts, and can also be secured using studs that are tightened with nuts. In fact, it is the tension roller in the design of the entire tensioner that regulates the degree of tension of the alternator belt. On different engines you can find different solutions. The simplest is considered to be a roller with an offset center, which is secured with a bolt. The belt is tensioned at the moment of rotation of the eccentric.
Another common option is a tension roller, which is placed on the above movable bracket with tension using a bolt. In both the first and second cases, the condition of the generator belt tensioner roller must be monitored, as well as timely replacement of worn elements. It is optimal to carry out monitoring at moments when it is necessary to loosen the tension of the generator belt during repair work or for the planned replacement of the generator belt with a new one.
It should be added that the bearing is often the first thing to fail in a belt tensioner design. Such a bearing is constantly under load and also rotates quickly in such conditions, resulting in an accelerated depletion of its service life. Next, we will look at how to check the bearing yourself and replace the generator belt tensioner pulley if necessary.
Typical malfunctions of the alternator belt tension roller
Since its basis is the bearing, most of the malfunctions of this part are associated with it. The most common malfunctions of the bearing that is part of the belt tension roller are the following:
- wear that causes backlash and gaps when the part rotates;
- destruction of individual bearing parts, causing jerking during operation;
- corrosion or destruction of the cage, balls or rollers, which leads to complete failure of the roller.
In any case, it is necessary to remember that if this element begins to make extraneous sounds (usually a whistle), then postponing the replacement of the part for a long time is not easy, unacceptable, but even dangerous!
Generator tension pulley cost
The price of a tension roller depends on several components. The main ones are the following:
- Material of manufacture. The element can be made of metal, high-strength plastic, or composite materials. In any case, it includes a metal bearing group.
- Car make and model. As you know, the same part can differ significantly in price, in accordance with the prestige of the car.
- Design features. The more complex the design, the more expensive the generator belt tensioner roller.
Nevertheless, you can name the average cost of this part without much difficulty. For most regions of the Russian Federation, a generator belt tensioner pulley, the price of which ranges from 200-300 rubles (for bracket structures) to 700-800 (for eccentrics), is not a serious problem in terms of its acquisition. As you can easily see, tension rollers are relatively inexpensive.
And to install or replace it you will not need any special skills, particularly complex tools or special equipment.
Tension control
Normal operation of a belt drive requires no slippage and is ensured by adequate tension. Due to the difficulties of directly measuring it without specialized measuring instruments, control is performed indirectly.
The tension is considered sufficient if the amount of deflection when pressing strongly on the belt of a new ribbed or V-belt in the area of its longest free part between two pulleys does not exceed 2 mm. Over time, due to fatigue phenomena, an increase in deflection of up to 5 mm is permissible. When checking, a ruler is applied to the plane of the belt, and pressure can be created with the leg of a caliper, which has a scale.
In the case of a toothed belt with constant mesh, the deflection is replaced by a lateral rotation: the deflection angle of the working surface plane should not exceed 90 degrees.
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Regardless of the version, it is recommended to check the tension on a new car and check it every 20 - 30 thousand kilometers.
Step-by-step algorithm for replacing the tension roller
Of course, before you start replacing this part, you need to open the hood to gain access to the engine compartment of the car. Obviously, the generator belt tensioner pulley (Priora VAZ included) in a car of any other brand is located on the engine, on its front side. After which it will be necessary to carry out the following procedure and measures:
- Secure the crankshaft of the vehicle in a stationary position. To do this, simply insert a small crowbar, pry bar, or any other metal object into the teeth of the clutch disc.
- Loosen the fastening of the roller itself (or the bracket holding it) by slightly unscrewing the bolt, thereby relieving the tension on the belt tension.
- After unscrewing the mounting bolt completely, remove the belt tensioner of the generator to be replaced.
- Place the new roller in place and secure it carefully with the bolt.
It is important to remember that the belt tension after all the procedures performed should be as tight as possible.
Otherwise, the generator will noticeably lose its efficiency and will not be able to produce optimal efficiency during its operation. Moreover, if the belt tension is improper, it may be necessary to reconnect the generator quite expensively, with the installation of new adjustments. And this automatically means the need to lose time, nerves and money associated with a trip to a car service specialist. And this despite the fact that such problems can be completely avoided if the procedure for replacing an element is approached with due attention and responsibility.
When is it necessary to replace the alternator belt?
It will be useful if only because you can little by little study the structure of your vehicle and the principles of operation of all its mechanisms.
Experienced craftsmen would call replacing the alternator belt the “ABC”, but without these basics, in the future it’s simply impossible. Before you start replacing this engine element, you should definitely make sure that it is the belt, and not something else, that has failed.
The main sign of a problem with the generator is a characteristic whistle, which is difficult for the experienced ear of a car enthusiast to confuse with any other, associating it with a specific breakdown. This whistle occurs every time a load begins to be placed on the car's electronics. This could be: the radio on, high beams or radio, etc. An indicator may also light up inside the car, indicating the problem described in this article. The indicator indicates either low tension of the alternator belt or complete wear.
Where is the alternator belt located? Look for it under the hood, on the left side of the engine, when you face your car. Before you begin inspecting the part, you must turn off the engine, remove the ignition key, and also disconnect the negative wire from the car battery.
After this, inspect the belt for signs of wear. They become cracks and tears, elongation or loss of elasticity. If the alternator belt does not look worn, try checking its tension. Usually this is the reason for the awkward operation of the engine.
Some subtleties and nuances of replacing the roller
Of course, the above algorithm for replacing the generator belt tensioner roller is quite schematic. Today, the world's leading automobile manufacturers are trying to uniqueize their developments in such a way as to exclude, to the maximum extent possible, the interchangeability of parts for different models, even of their own production. What can we say about competitors' products?
And in this matter, there are practically no small details for auto giants. The closest attention is paid to the generator in general and the tension roller in particular.
However, such a part as the belt tension roller has a fairly simple design.
Moreover, we can say that such details in their current form and condition have practically reached the ceiling of perfection. It is quite difficult to come up with anything new, excluding geometric dimensions and method of fastening. That is why the procedure for replacing the tension element outlined above is suitable in approximately 99% of cases.
Let's sum it up
Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear how to change the alternator belt with your own hands. Moreover, the replacement itself does not require specialized tools or professional skills. In fact, even an ordinary car owner can often cope with such a task. The only caveat is to provide free access to the mechanism for adjusting the tension. On some cars this may be difficult.
Finally, we note that many owners prefer to change timing belts, alternator belts, pulleys and rollers not only for the sake of savings, but because properly performed independent maintenance guarantees the installation of high-quality spare parts and the accurate implementation of all adjustments. As a result, the replaced elements last a long time, and during operation there is often no extraneous noise, etc.
Source: krutimotor.ru
