Belt Tensioner 1L5E-6B209-AB 6L2E6B209CA 38137 1L5E6B209AD FOR FORD

For those with little automotive experience, the area under the hood can be pretty mysterious. You know that when you press the gas pedal, the engine accelerates, and when you press the brake, the car slows down. You may know enough to change your air filter and check your oil level, but strange sounds coming from under the hood can be frightening and frustrating. If you’re hearing a squealing and/or rattling from under the hood, you’ll need to have it professionally inspected and repaired.

The engine of your car actually provides the power for most of your accessory systems, such as the power steering, the air conditioner and more. A turning engine provides the means to operate a wide range of additional parts. This is done by using belts and pulleys. In modern vehicles, you generally only have one or possibly two belts. These are routed around multiple different pulleys located on the side of the engine (and attached to various components).

As the engine spins, it turns the main pulley, which is attached to the camshaft. This main pulley drives the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt turns other pulleys, such as your alternator pulley, the power steering pump pulley and others. This provides the power for those systems to operate.

Of course, this does require that your belts are in good condition, and that your pulleys are working normally. Over time and through normal wear and tear, belts will stretch, crack and break. Pulleys will also experience problems (generally due to bearing failure over time).