2005 2.7 adjust serpentine belt

Asked by Borgster Feb 19, 2016 at 02:17 PM about the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The charging system light came on. The owners
manual says the "auto tensioner" is adjustable.
How do I adjust it.

1 Answer

13,105

The only possibility for an adjustable "Auto-Tensioner" would be if it is spring loaded to automatically tension the belt at installation & then tighten a nut to lock it in place afterward, but then the belt would not automatically tension itself as it ages and stretches, so I would not believe what you read there. Most tensioners are spring loaded to automatically tension the belt as it wears and stretches, so if your charging system stops working because of a loose belt, then the belt has stretched to the limits of the tensioner being able to tighten it and the belt needs to be replaced. If a belt has an adjustable tensioner, then you loosen a pivot bolt and the anchoring or locking bolt, tighten the belt and lock down both bolts or nuts. Either way, the tensioner is located under the plastic timing cover on the engine and is in 2 or 3 parts. They are not the easiest bolts to get at, but you need to remove the cover to get at the tensioner. On the 2001 model, it is spring loaded so it is not adjustable to the best of my recollection so if you change the belt and it is not tight enough you will need to change the tensioner as well. I would do that anyway (which I have) but on your year I am not sure what type it has and I also believe the manufacturer recommends replacing the tensioner with the belt as well, although I am not positive about that.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    me29
    Reputation
    6,550
  • #2
    JP1956
    Reputation
    2,810
  • #3
    SubaruTech5862
    Reputation
    2,020
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Hyundai Tucson
88 Great Deals out of 2,826 listings starting at $364
Used Kia Sorento
82 Great Deals out of 1,770 listings starting at $3,800
Used Honda CR-V
191 Great Deals out of 4,977 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Highlander
37 Great Deals out of 821 listings starting at $7,498
Used Toyota RAV4
142 Great Deals out of 3,000 listings starting at $4,999
Used Honda Pilot
44 Great Deals out of 991 listings starting at $3,800
Used Ford Explorer
52 Great Deals out of 1,889 listings starting at $6,990
Used Kia Sportage
62 Great Deals out of 1,826 listings starting at $4,999
Used Hyundai Sonata
56 Great Deals out of 834 listings starting at $1,543

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.