Is there a way to measure the tightness of the belt? Mine seems awfully tight. I read somewhere that as the tensionor gets old it gets tighter...is this true?

mp,

There are a set of lines on the tensioner housing that the index line on the tensioner arm should be between. If it isn't, either the belt is worn out, or the tensioner has gone bad and is applying too much tension. I understand that this is a common failure method for them.

If it is outside of the wear indicators be sure you have the right belt. And it's for indicating a bad belt so be sure it's not just a stretched belt.

As the tensioner wears, it gets loose in the bracket, or starts binding, usually in a loose postion, and the belt begins squeaking.

If it is tight, that's good, for now

Great stuff!! Anyhow I checked it out and the indicator line is outside the two marks by about a 1/4 inch. Facing the vehicle it would be outside the range to the right...which looks to be the tight side. I'm pretty sure the belt is the right size although not positive. The belt was changed about a year an a half ago.

Great stuff!! Anyhow I checked it out and the indicator line is outside the two marks by about a 1/4 inch. Facing the vehicle it would be outside the range to the right...which looks to be the tight side. I'm pretty sure the belt is the right size although not positive. The belt was changed about a year an a half ago.

Sounds like you're in good shape,

The two marks (give or take 1/8" apart) to the left of the depression in the indicator are where the tensioner would sit with a new belt installed.

As the belt stretches over time, the tensioner rotates counter clockwise (as you stand facing the engine), to maintain tension on the belt.

my belt is annoying me. Its barely past the 'too big' mark, but I when I installed it a month ago, it was on the other mark. So Apparently its stretching. Problem is the next size down wont fit

What about what I read where the tensionor has to much tension? How would I know that? I don't have anything to compare to other than I seems reaaaalll tight.