Not sure if I am doing something wrong, but doesn't seem like there is any tension from the tensioner, hence why I almost lost my alternator belt while driving, then I got that red battery light warning, I did proceed with a new belt and now I am at this right problem, tensioner has no tension. Previous belt seemed very fine. And holes doesn't align so I can't quite reach the tensioner bolt, I have no idea if that would change anything, but I would have tried to reach it and give it a torque. Am I in need for a new tensioner? Thanks for any help.

 

If the tensioner bolt is low in the slot in the passenger side inner fender, then the upper engine mount is toast, it is recommended that you replace the serpentine belt and tensioner at the same time, as the spring weakened and may have broken.


The tensioner mounting bolt should be in the centre of the slotted hole.


some have had issues with off brand mounts , so get an AC Delco at RockAuto and don’t forget the discount code, and that new tensioner!

 

Thanks very much !

 

Do you have a part number for the belt that you installed?

 

24430296 is the part number for the tensioner
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ensioner,11659

25974059 is the engine mount

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...tor+mount,5552

these were the parts I installed in my 2007.

 

But if the wrong belt is on there, none of those other parts will help.

 

There are two different length belts one is 1028 mm Or 40.47 inches w/o the triangle shaped AC compressor clutch

with the triangle shaped AC compressor clutch 1016 mm Or 40.01 inches , that could be the problem

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...rive,belt,8900

 

So, although I did all the repair on my HHR for more than a year, I did not want to replace that tentioner because it's very hot 1000 degree outside, I needed my car quickly and I felt the work was not so easy, so I wen to Canadian Tire. They charged me CAD $113 for the tensioner, it took the mechanic 20 minutes or so and the final bill was CAD $268 ! They also were questioning whether they would charge me the full time it would take to change the belt, like summing up each work separately. Wow.

 

That’s why I got my mechanic training and do my own work! A couple of plastic clips and one bolt for the tensioner, I just changed mine, 27 minutes and done! But it’s fixed now, enjoy the ride!

 

For info, the new belt was slightly longer than the previous one, like half an inch or so. It's possible that the previous tighter belt caused more stress on the tensioner hence why it failed?

As a side note, the radio and cd player sounds better since I had that tensioner and belt replaced. And I would eventually open a thread about this cd player because the DAC there seems quite good. I really like the sound.