Bouncing idler

KMT

Registered User
Started the car (1990) from cold this morning, hood opened and noticed that the idler nearest the alternator was bouncing/swinging (towards the pass. side) just a little bit - maybe 1/4" inch swing...it did it 3 or 4 times and then settled down. No noise. No balancer wobble. Belt is used with no breaks, tears, etc.

Why was it jacking around and then stable?
 
Check tensioner

I'd take the belt off and check it out, mine broke apart and the belt wipped up and hit my friend in the face:eek:

Spring might be wearing out?

Tom
 
Interestingly enough, I recently replaced the A/C compressor, which included new clutch and bearing, and now the idler is completely stable…no more bouncing.
 
I've kept trying over time to find the issue - new belts, tensioner idlers, fresh alternator and water pump, stuff that needed replacing as time went on, but no change. I'm glad it didn't suffer a big fail on the road. There weren't that many suspects left - bett'a late than never :)
 
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