Signs That Your Tensioners, Idlers and Dampers are Damaged

Though lots of drivers meticulously check their brake fluid, engine oil, coolant and washer fluid during self-services, it’s easy to miss other engine components that have a major impact on your vehicle’s health. Parts such as tensioners, idlers and dampers often slip through the net.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the signs of damaged tensioners, idlers and dampers – all of which can bring your engine to an unfortunate halt if not repaired.

Signs of a Worn Tensioner

There aren’t many non-visual signs that suggest your tensioner might be damaged, so it’s important to check your tensioner’s condition during each of your self-services. Check for visual wear and tear, as well as loss of tension or improper tracking in the belt’s circulation.

The main sign of a damaged tensioner that you can look out for beyond a visual check is a grinding or squeaking sound coming from your engine. 

It’s important to replace your tensioner as soon as you become aware of any damage. If you don’t replace your tensioner when it’s worn, it can cause further damage to your power steering, alternator and air conditioning, all of which are powered by the drive belt.

Signs of a Worn Idler

Similarly, a worn idler pulley can cause serious engine damage. Luckily, there are a few signs that you can look out for to catch a worn idler pulley in time.

• Just as a squeaking noise can indicate a damaged tensioner, it might also be the sign of a damaged idler. A squeaking noise often means that the bearings or surface of the idler pulley are worn.
• The engine warning light may illuminate on your dashboard.
• Your power steering may not work.
• Your engine may often overheat.

You might like to read our blog post on how to replace idler pulleys.

Signs of a Worn Damper

Dampers become less effective over time due to wear and tear. It’s important to regularly check their condition to avoid expensive damage.

First of all, you can see your dampers through the wheel arches, so you can easily check for visual leaks. If there are any oil stains, that’s a clear sign that you need to replace your dampers as soon as possible. You would also fail your MOT for this.

Other signs of worn dampers include:

• Scalloped dips in the tyres.
• Uneven wear on the tyres.
• Difficulty braking.
• Tilting to one side or feeling like you’re sliding while driving.

Replacing Damaged Tensioners, Idlers and Dampers

It’s vital that you replace tensioners, idlers and dampers when they are damaged or worn. Ensure you get the right parts for your car by searching your registration plate below.

Our car lookup tool will show you all the tensioners, idlers and dampers that are a perfect fit for your model.

All DIY car service parts are manufactured by trusted, high-quality brands. Here are just a few of the brands that we stock.