Serpentine Belt Tensioner ?

[richie9mt]

2006 V6 w/auto; 87K miles; poking around under the hood looking for the plastic thermostat housing (found it!) I noticed my serpentine belt was kind of tight...So I pressed on the tensioner with both hands and it wouldn't move...

Is this normal??? I can't see any way to relieve the tension. Other cars I've worked on have a square hole for a 1/2" drive breaker bar but this V6 doesn't.

How do you check to see if the tensioner is frozen???

 

[skwerl]

If it was frozen then your belt would be snapped.

 

[Iceman62]

Guessing there are no signs of the tensioner not working normal (e.g. squealing, burning smell, etc.)? They are tight, as you know, for a reason & there's probably a counter spring/adjustment point somewhere on the mount. I'd have to see it (pics help)...

 

[richie9mt]

Thanks for the comments! I did find a video on YouTube and I was looking for the wrong size square hole - It's the size of a 3/8" drive breaker bar, not the 1/2" I was looking for. My tensioner is real tight, but I put a breaker bar on it and it does move, so I assume it's OK. Belt looks good too; no cracks or fraying. So I'm reassured.