Why would a new serpentine belt break?
Serpentine belt problems usually result from one of three causes: a defective belt tensioner; misalignment of a pulley; or, defective bearings in the tensioner, idler, or one of accessories driven by the belt (including the water pump). Excessive cracking: Other than severe old age, defective tensioner.
Can you drive a car without the AC compressor belt?
The AC belt is separate from the serpentine belt (which is driven by the crank shaft pulley and in turn drives the alternator, water pump and power steering pump). As long as you can live without AC there is no problem with running the engine without the AC belt.
When do you Know Your AC belt needs to be replaced?
1. Squealing noises when AC is on. One of the most obvious signs that a belt needs to be replaced is that it will produce a loud squealing noise when the AC is turned on.
Where does the AC belt go on a car?
The belt connects the AC compressor clutch to the engine crankshaft, which allows the compressor to be turned via the engine’s power when activated. As with most automotive belts, the AC belt will either be a V-belt or a serpentine.
Why does my AC belt make a squealing noise when I turn it on?
One of the most obvious signs that a belt needs to be replaced is that it will produce a loud squealing noise when the AC is turned on. In some cases, this may be attributed to a loose belt, or perhaps water or oil contamination.
What causes an old AC belt to snap?
Old belts will snap simply because they are weakened by age and service. You can notice that a belt has snapped because the AC will not function when activated. A quick visual inspection of the belt should be able to identify if it has broken and needs to be replaced.
Why did my AC belt break last night?
Last night driving home the AC belt broke. There was a lot of smoke from the belt melting a little in one spot. I don’t know if the compressor seized (or something like that), causing the belt to start to melt, and then break. Or if the belt broke, jammed in something, and then melted a little, causing the smoke.
Can a broken AC compressor cause the serpentine belt to snap?
If the AC clutch bearing seizes while the AC compressor is not operating, the belt can snap then as well. Replacing the serpentine belt tensioner and idler pulley at the same time as the belt is always a good idea. They wear out too!
What causes smoke from a broken AC belt?
Or if the belt broke, jammed in something, and then melted a little, causing the smoke. The melting is just a little bit on one edge of the belt, it doesn’t look like much, for all the smoke and smell it produced. The break in the belt is right in the middle of the couple inch section where the melting/glazing can be seen.
Is it okay to drive without an AC belt?
The break in the belt is right in the middle of the couple inch section where the melting/glazing can be seen. The car seems to be running fine, no check engine light, no codes when I checked the computer. Is it okay to keep driving the car for a couple days, without an AC belt?