help with ac belt tensioner i think? it's bad...

[johnshop]

so, this can't be good. Here is whats up, i just realized that when i turn the ac or heater the belt in the driver side would stop spinning... but if i turn it off it starts again, and even worst, when i rev it up, what i assume is the tensioner it literally goes up and down. ( the

now it would be ok if for now, while waiting for whatever parts i need, to just take the belt off to avoid it flying off and what not?

could it also be that i don't know, a bolt just came unlose?

any ideas?

[t.mcginley.jr]

The idler pulley that you're talking about has 2 bolts, one holds it to the bracket itself, the other is a long bolt that actually adjusts the tension. What it sounds like is both of the bolts are loose, so it spins fine normally, but when you turn the AC on and the clutch on the compressor actually grabs, the tension on the belt increases and it overpowers the loose idler pulley, making it go up and down and loosing all tension (so it stops spinning). Try tightening both of those bolts on the idler pulley, I think 10 or 12mm.

[johnshop]

tomorrow i have to go to work, hopefully it doesnt fly off before i get the chance of fixing it

[johnshop]

so i have gone to the conclusion that the idler pulley need replacing, problem is this is my daily and i need to get the part shipped, so it would hurt the car if i have the belt and idler off for a couple of days until i get the part in?

[t.mcginley.jr]

Not at all, the crank pulley will still spin, just the AC compressor won't spin which is fine as long as you don't try putting the AC on.

[johnshop]

so i did tight it, but it seems to be going loose again, what could i do to keep the tensioner in place?

[nissanfreak12]

With the tensioner, you should have the long bolt which moves it up and down. You also have a second bolt which tightens down on the longer bolt to prevent moving. I just cannot remember if its the one in front of the pulley or behind it. You need to tighten this, otherwise it will move. You can always do loctite, I don't recommmend this, but its an option. I really suggest why its still moving, fixing it properly.