Achieva L4-144 2.4L DOHC VIN T SFI (1996)
Drive Belt Tensioner: Description and Operation
Serpentine Belt Routing
Important
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Routine inspection of the belt may reveal cracks in the belt ribs. These cracks will not impair belt performance and therefore should not be
considered a problem requiring belt replacement. However, the belt should be replaced if belt slip occurs or if sections of the belt ribs are missing.
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A single (serpentine) belt is used to drive the generator and A/C compressor. They are rigidly mounted with belt tension maintained by a spring
loaded tensioner. On vehicles not equipped with A/C, an idler pulley is used in place of the A/C compressor so that the serpentine drive belt can be
used for both applications.
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The drive belt tensioner has the ability to control belt tension over a fairly broad range of belt lengths. However, there are limits to the tensioner's
ability to compensate for varying lengths of belts. With the tensioner outside of its operating range, the result can be poor tension control and/or
damage to the tensioner.
