Belt Tension Checking For Fans: Fill & Download for Free

Okay, I’ll answer.William Prout got it right …I already gave him the upvote. You can actually buy a belt gauge to do the tension check if you’re OCD or a tool junkie like me. But then most tool junkies are probably just a little OCD too ;-)No, the TLAR (that looks about right) method works pretty good. You push the belts at mid-point and eyeball the 1/2″ deflection.

If the vehicles maintenance and other safety features are taken into account, the following inspection has to be done. It is called Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection.PRACTICE USING A SYSTEMATIC CIRCLE CHECK.Top to bottom, left to right.ENGINE COMPARTMENTCheck radiator for leaks, coolant level and proper locking cap.Check for obvious fluid leaks.WITHIN ENGINECOMPARTMENT.On the groundCheck fan for vent blades or loose mountingCheck belts tension, cracks or frays.POWER STEERING BELTWATER PUMB BELTALTERNATOR BELTAIR COMPRESSOR BELTCheck oil levelCheck power steering fluid levelCheck brake fluid in master cylinderCheck battery for cracks or excessive corrosionCheck air cleaner for proper attachmentsCheck for obvious breaks or loose connections in electrical system, coolant hoses and vacuum hosesCheck steering box and linkagesSECURELY MOUNTEDNO LEAKSNO MISSING NUTS, BOLTS OR COTTER KEYSIN THE CABCheck operation of doors, door handles and latchesCheck seat adjustments and safety beltsCheck mirror adjustmentsCheck wind shieldCLEANNO OBSTRUCTIONSILLEGAL STICKERSDAMAGE TO GLASSCheck free play of clutch pedalWITH ENGINE STARTEDCheck engine for ease of startingCheck for fluid leaks with engine runningEngage hi-idle for diesel engineCheck dashboardPROPER LIGHTINGAPPROPRIATE INDICATORS ARE WORKINGLEFT TURN INDICATORRIGHT TURN INDICATOR4- WAY HAZARD INDICATORHIGH BEAM INDICATORCheck fuel levelMake sure oil pressure gauge is workingCheck voltage gauge for proper chargingCheck air pressure gauge for build upCheck temperature gaugeSHOULD GRADUALLY CLIMB TO THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGEALARM SHOULD NOT SOUNDSound hornTest wipers/washersNON POWER STEERING – CHECK FOR EXCESSIVE PLAY BY TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. IT SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 DEGREESPOWER STEERING – WITH ENGINE RUNNING CHECK FOR EXCESSIVE PLAY BY TURNING STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. PLAY SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 DEGREES BEFORE FRONT LEDT WHEEL BARELY MOVES.Test parking brakeENSURE BRAKE IS GOODPLACE TRANSMISSION IN A LOW GEARHYDRAULIC BRAKESPump brake pedal several times and then hold down for 5 secondsPedal should not move during the 5 secondsAIR BRAKESRealise that safety devices varyPlace wheel chocksEnsure air pressure is built upShut off engineFully apply brake pedal and hold for 1 minuteAir pressure should not drop more than a few pounds in 1 minute.Fan off air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the brake pedalLow air warning should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psiNear 40 psi the parking brake valve should closeEXTERIOR CHECKRemember top to bottom and left to rightCheck for vehicle damageVerify licence plate is presentCheck all tyres for proper inflation and lug nutsCheck tire tread depth4/32 ON STEERING AXLE2/32 ON ALL OTHERSSee that the hub/oil seals and axle seals are not leaking and if wheel has a sight glass, oil level is adequateCheck springs and U-boltsCheck all clearance lights and reflectorsCheck headlightsCheck tail lightsCheck turn signalsCheck 4 way flashersCheck brake lightsEQUIPMENTGetting the help from an authorised workshop can make these steps much more easier and also safety while the journey.Travel safe !!!

My engine sounds like it is screaming bloody murder whenever I accelerate. I have parked it until I can afford to fix it. What could this be?When was the last time you checked your fan belts, or serpentine. When I was young, 18 in 1968, A fan belt cost about $2 and we kept a spare in the trunk. However, a bar of soap held lightly against the fan belt as the engine was idling would usually stop the screeching for a while. I wouldn’t advise that anymore because of the safety factor, and that the engine compartments are so cramped.It could also be because your alternator, power steering pump, AC pump or other engine peripheral are not tight against the belt, and the belt is slipping through them without grabbing the sprocket, or as was the case one time in my big truck, the belt tensioner bearings seized and the belt not only screamed bloody murder, it broke a few minutes later. It took the new belt breaking almost instantly to find the tensioner problem and replace it.