1992 SC400 Accessory Belt Slack?
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From: CA
1992 SC400 Accessory Belt Slack?
I had to move this thread to the correct forum, so hopefully that's what I'm doing... anyone got the answer?
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1992 Lexus SC
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92 SC4 Acc Belt Slack?
My accessory belt seems to have well over an inch of slack at its longest stretch. Stays on well enough on its own when off or running, seems tight enough to function everything but worries me a lot. As far as I know, it's only supposed to be at 1/4 inch. And I'm pretty sure that there's no way to tighten the belt, only loosen it to take it off and put back on, but its supposed to spring back to the proper tightness on its own. I've done some research on accessory belts stretching and apparently it doesn't really happen. Is it possible it happened to mine? I thought there would be cracks on it before the point of stretching (if its even possible) but my belt doesn't have any cracks. No idea how old it is. Car has 205k miles. I wish I could just get a slightly shorter belt, but no money right now. Wonder what's up. Any thoughts?
Sorry no pics, camera got stolen a while back.
Almost forgot, Hank can you mow your lawn in a hurricane? Nope didn't think so hahahah
Today, 08:15 AM #2
MooJohn
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I stole this pic from another thread on the board. It was the first one I could find with a tensioner in view:
Just above & to the right of the arrow is the tensioner body, and there are 3 marks at almost the 12:00 position. The single arrow on the moving part of the tensioner is supposed to rest between these 3 marks. Where is yours?
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92 SC400 - ongoing resto project
Today, 08:39 AM #3
Gate
Driver
1992 Lexus SC
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CA
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oh man my arrow is almost an inch past those three marks (clockwise). But I see no way to grip it, i already have the pulley off cuz i cleaned it, but i cant understand how to adjust the tensioner, the only info i could find on that included steps about draining the coolant and removing timing covers, i didn't know i had to do that, i think that's just for installing a new one, my tensioner seems fine, the arrow is just an entire inch past the three marks, is there any way i can make my belt tighter??? how would the tensioner get like the way mine is anyways?
Driver
1992 Lexus SC
Trader Score: (0)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 196
92 SC4 Acc Belt Slack?
My accessory belt seems to have well over an inch of slack at its longest stretch. Stays on well enough on its own when off or running, seems tight enough to function everything but worries me a lot. As far as I know, it's only supposed to be at 1/4 inch. And I'm pretty sure that there's no way to tighten the belt, only loosen it to take it off and put back on, but its supposed to spring back to the proper tightness on its own. I've done some research on accessory belts stretching and apparently it doesn't really happen. Is it possible it happened to mine? I thought there would be cracks on it before the point of stretching (if its even possible) but my belt doesn't have any cracks. No idea how old it is. Car has 205k miles. I wish I could just get a slightly shorter belt, but no money right now. Wonder what's up. Any thoughts?
Sorry no pics, camera got stolen a while back.
Almost forgot, Hank can you mow your lawn in a hurricane? Nope didn't think so hahahah
Today, 08:15 AM #2
MooJohn
Rookie
Garage is empty, add now
Trader Score: (0)
Join Date: May 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 78
I stole this pic from another thread on the board. It was the first one I could find with a tensioner in view:
Just above & to the right of the arrow is the tensioner body, and there are 3 marks at almost the 12:00 position. The single arrow on the moving part of the tensioner is supposed to rest between these 3 marks. Where is yours?
__________________
92 SC400 - ongoing resto project
Today, 08:39 AM #3
Gate
Driver
1992 Lexus SC
Trader Score: (0)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 196
oh man my arrow is almost an inch past those three marks (clockwise). But I see no way to grip it, i already have the pulley off cuz i cleaned it, but i cant understand how to adjust the tensioner, the only info i could find on that included steps about draining the coolant and removing timing covers, i didn't know i had to do that, i think that's just for installing a new one, my tensioner seems fine, the arrow is just an entire inch past the three marks, is there any way i can make my belt tighter??? how would the tensioner get like the way mine is anyways?
The tensioner automatically puts tension on the belt. If you can pull on the belt and get an inch of movement, it isnt necessary a bad thing. As long as there is enough tension to keep the belt tight enough to not slip, then you're ok. Im not sure what the exact spec is, probably 1/2 inch or so. But the important part is that your belt isnt slipping. If it were, i would say the tensioner has lost internal spring pressure and should be replaced. If everything seems to be working normally and the belt doesnt slip, i would leave well enough alone.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: CA
The tensioner automatically puts tension on the belt. If you can pull on the belt and get an inch of movement, it isnt necessary a bad thing. As long as there is enough tension to keep the belt tight enough to not slip, then you're ok. Im not sure what the exact spec is, probably 1/2 inch or so. But the important part is that your belt isnt slipping. If it were, i would say the tensioner has lost internal spring pressure and should be replaced. If everything seems to be working normally and the belt doesnt slip, i would leave well enough alone.
Dysfunctional Veteran
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,091
Likes: 309
From: Van Alstyne, TX
The tensioner automatically puts tension on the belt. If you can pull on the belt and get an inch of movement, it isnt necessary a bad thing. As long as there is enough tension to keep the belt tight enough to not slip, then you're ok. Im not sure what the exact spec is, probably 1/2 inch or so. But the important part is that your belt isnt slipping. If it were, i would say the tensioner has lost internal spring pressure and should be replaced. If everything seems to be working normally and the belt doesnt slip, i would leave well enough alone.
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