Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems

Posted by: Gumby1800

Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems - 12/04/07 10:04 AM

With only 26,000 km on the beast, a bolt holding the belt tensioner to the V-8 block came loose resulting in the following:

-tensioner bent and seized
-serpentine belt forced off pulleys and against shock tower housing shreading the belt and cutting a groove in the shock tower housing
-power steering line cut
-car came to a shuddering, grinding halt

Thank goodness for GM Roadside Assistance and full Warranty coverage!

Shop time is expected to be ONE WEEK as the bolt that loosened and the tensioner are special order items.

I've never read of this happening on the GXP before, but keep an eye on your belt tensioner!
Posted by: Fly_GXP

Re: Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems - 12/04/07 04:13 PM

Thanks for the heads up Gumby
Posted by: seanmckean

Re: Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems - 12/09/07 07:33 PM

Whoa, that blows. Got a picture of where that bolt is?
Posted by: Gumby1800

Re: Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems - 12/10/07 08:21 AM

Sean,

Sorry, no picture. There is so little room between the shock tower and the right side of the engine, you cannot really see the bolt, but it is one of the tensioner bolts that threads directly into the block.

When the bolt loosened, it destroyed the thread in the block. This had to be repaired with a helicoil.

The tech had to remove the right front wheel and the wheel well liner to untangle the serpentine belt from the power steering line and to make the repair.