Belt TENSIONERS: Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Correct drive belt tension is required to ensure optimum performance of the belt driven engine accessories. If specified tension is not maintained, belt slippage may cause; engine overheating, lack of power steering assist, loss of air conditioning capacity, reduced generator output rate, and greatly reduced belt life.
It is not necessary to adjust belt tension on the 3.9L, 4.7L or 5.9L engines. These engines are equipped with an automatic belt tensioner (Fig 2) or (Fig 1). The tensioner maintains correct belt tension at all times. Due to use of this belt tensioner, do not attempt to use a belt tension gauge on 3.9L, 4.7L or 5.9L engines.