I know how to adjust the tension on the idler pulley for the A/C belt. My concern is that the adjuster bolt is threaded all the way in and the belt could use a tad more tension. It squeels sometimes when the conditions are just right, not all the time however. The belt is new and proper size.
Curious if there's a work-around in getting it tighter
​​​​​somehow. Like maybe putting a nut between the bottom the the bolt and the adjuster, thus creating more space for the idler to travel if that makes sense. Or, maybe a slightly larger idler pulley? I don't know. Thoughts?

 

A little information on which vehicle and engine combo you have can help us give you some insight.

The 1st thing that comes to my head is the wrong belt size for your set-up. I've never had a tensioner/adjuster bottom out using the correct parts or interchangeable parts.

I would take the belt you have and find it length in inches, go up to the local parts store, and grab a few belts a few sizes smaller. Keep those receipts though.

Hope that helps a little.

 

1999 Honda Civic EX 1.6L D16y8. If I recall, I ordered the belts on ebay (I think they're Bando belts) and I used my engine size to verify fitment. The others fit fine. But your suggestion to get a belt a tad bit smaller could work. I'd just have to see if a parts store has a selection of belts with the same # of grooves for size reference.

 

eBay is nice and all, but unfortunately even they can sell/send the wrong belts. I had that issue when I was rebuilding my hatch.

If you can contact the seller on ebay and tell them that you verified that the belt fit per their information and that when you got it, it didn't fit.

 

Check your part numbers and make sure you didnt swap around the power steering belt and the ac belt.

Go on a site like rockauto.com and search for your application to verify you have the correct belt.

The ac tensioner has always had tons more travel than I ever needed to use.

 

I don't believe you're using the correct belt.

This is the correct Honda/Bando belt:
38920-P2A-003 <<< yes click on the part #

 

Called the merchant today. Verified I was INDEED GIVEN THE WRONG BELT. I bought all 3 belts. They shipped me 2 belts for the PS instead of 1 for each. This, problem solved. Thanks all!

 

Word!!! Glad we can all help out.

 

A word to the wise: Even RockAuto has the wrong belt sizes listed. Ask me how I know.
H-T: "How do you know, deschlong?"
d: "Because I ordered an alternator belt from RockAuto for my car and they had the wrong size listed."
H-T: "How did you know it was the wrong size?"
d: "Because after I put the g.d. thing on, the g.d. alternator tensioner bottomed out. THEN I compared the size I received and was listed for my car against the OEM length. Should I have done that before I ordered? Yes. Am I a flawed human being, with imperfect decision-making? Also yes. I lost a whole $10 on the deal. Alarmingly, I did not find a way to alert RockAuto of the problem, so here we are knowing that shade-tree mechanics the world over are receiving wrong alternator belts for 90s Civics and there's nothing I can do about it except moan about it on Honda-Tech."
H-T: "You have too much time on your hands."
d: "Correct."