It provides the proper tension on the serpentine drive belt.
On the tensioner, sometimes it has a cover on the tensioner that covers the bolt.
You can adjust the belt tensioner by loosening the tensioner bolt. When the tensioner bolt is loose the tensioner pulley can move back and fourth.
there are two tensioners, the serpentine tensioner and the timing belt tensioner. the timing belt tensioner is behind the timing belt cover ;)
One bolt holds the tensioner to the engine, take it off to get the tensioner off and then you can get to the bolt that holds the pulley to the tensioner.
Place a breaker bar on the lug/hole on the tensioner; then pry against the tensioner.
auto store usually special order for a timing belt tensioner or belt tensioner
there is no repair for a belt tensioner. just buy a new tensioner. remove old belt, remove old tensioner, it is held on with one bolt. install new tensioner. install new belt
The tensioner has a spring in it that provides the correct tension for the belt. If it is too loose, replace the tensioner.
The tensioner bolt for a 96 Cavalier is in the pulley for the tensioner. The tensioner is in the middle of the front of the engine.
What side do I turn the tensioner to loosen it?
Facing the engine the tensioner will be on left side of engine. There is an idler pulley that looks like the tensioner. The idler will have a smooth surface but the tensioner will have grooves on the pulley & should below the idler. If the tensioner is making noise etc it is prob just the tensioner pulley (grooved one) & you can get just the pulley. Big savings.
it has a manual tensioner