Why do I have problems with my serpentine belt?
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). Fortunately, the belt can help you diagnose the problem, both before you remove it and afterward:
When did the serpentine belt come off my Chrysler?
The 3.3L and 3.8L engines are the ones with the most problems when it comes to the engine belt coming off. The model years are 1996 through 2001, but I’ve seen older and newer ones do the same thing. Automobiles with this engine option installed are some of the most popular ever built.
How do you remove a serpentine belt from a car?
Pull the belt off of the pulleys. With the tension relieved from the belt, pull it off of the pulley that has been placing tension on it, then remove it from the around the rest of the pulleys on the engine. If the belt is severely damaged, be sure to remove any parts that may have come off of it as well.
How long does a serpentine / drive belt last?
With that being said most serpentine/drive belts can last for a very long time before they need to be replaced. The lifespan of the belt will depend mostly on the type of material it’s made of. Older style belts generally last about 50,000 miles, while those made from EPDM can last up to 100,000 miles.
Is the water pump driven by the serpentine belt?
Another important device driven by the serpentine belt is the water pump. This is not always the case as on a lot of cars the water pump is driven by the timing belt. You should have this in mind so you don’t falsely “accuse” the serpentine belt for overheating.
How do you replace a serpentine belt pulley?
Using the breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, move the tensioner arm against the spring as far as it will move, to its stop. The tensioner arm should move smoothly throughout its range of travel, with firm spring pressure and without binding. Most tensioner pulleys can be replaced independently of the tensioner itself.
What causes glazing at the edges of a serpentine belt?
Glazing at the edges of a serpentine belt, or on its ridges or in the grooves, results from the belt slipping. It indicates that friction between the belt and the accessory drive pulley (s) created by slipping has overheated the belt. Fraying at the edge of a belt indicates pulley misalignment.
What does it mean when your serpentine belt falls off?
There are two “glow levels” of the battery light if you have a serpentine belt problem: This is the case if the belt snapped or fell off. The battery warning light comes up because the alternator has completely stopped working as there is no rotation.
How often should a serpentine belt be replaced?
Have the belt replaced whenever a related component is replaced (a broken belt is often associated with a damaged or seized pulley on one of the engine accessories). And consider regular inspection and replacement of the serpentine belt as a part of routine vehicle maintenance every 30k miles.
Another important device driven by the serpentine belt is the water pump. This is not always the case as on a lot of cars the water pump is driven by the timing belt. You should have this in mind so you don’t falsely “accuse” the serpentine belt for overheating.
When does the serpentine belt come off on a 2006 Ford Fusion?
Today is the4th time that the serpentine belt has come off on my 2006 Ford Fusion with a 4Cyl engine. Have had the valve cover gasket replaced due to excess oil on belt and the cover was leaking. Have had all the pulleys cleaned and the belt replaced twice since then. any ideas?
What does the battery warning light mean on a serpentine belt?
There are two “glow levels” of the battery light if you have a serpentine belt problem: Fully glowing and comes up in a moment’s notice This is the case if the belt snapped or fell off. The battery warning light comes up because the alternator has completely stopped working as there is no rotation.
What should I do about my alternator belt squealing?
Tightened the alternator and tightened the belt banjo string tight, no more noises. Click to expand… ..but, not too “banjo string” tight, for that’ll raise havoc with the ALT and WP bearings. All you need is a 1/4″ deflection when you push down on the belt itself with your finger inbetween two pulleys.
Why does my serpentine belt make a squeaking noise when I start the car?
A squeaky belt can indicate several different issues. If the noise only occurs when turning, starting the engine, or accelerating, it probably is a worn or loose belt. A constant squeal may mean the tensioner system or a pulley is damaged. Diagnosing the sound is the first step in how to make a serpentine belt stop squealing.
What causes a serpentine belt tensioner to wear out?
A worn automatic serpentine belt tensioner can cause belt squeal, misalignment and belt chirp, and alterantor bearing damage. Automatic tensioners tend to wear out at around 100K miles. If you have a belt noise or vibration and you’ve changed the belt, it’s time to test your belt tensioner. It’s easy. Just follow the procedures below.
What should I use to stop my serpentine belt from squealing?
Short, sharp blasts work best to ensure the belt is not saturated. Oversaturating the belt will result in severe slipping, which can permanently damage the belt. WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs.
How does the serpentine belt work on a car?
by Allen Moore. The serpentine belt, or fan belt, as some call it, transfers power from the engine crankshaft to the various engine accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump etc. When the belt doesn’t maintain constant adhesion to the various pulleys, it begins to slip and squeal.
What causes a serpentine belt to come off?
Belt coming off: Pulley misalignment, belt misalignment on pulley, defective tensioner, or bearing wear in tensioner, idler or driven accessories Belt noise can be hard to isolate, as the sound may seem to be coming from an accessory drive, such as the alternator or air conditioning compressor.
Glazing at the edges of a serpentine belt, or on its ridges or in the grooves, results from the belt slipping. It indicates that friction between the belt and the accessory drive pulley (s) created by slipping has overheated the belt. Fraying at the edge of a belt indicates pulley misalignment.
Using the breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, move the tensioner arm against the spring as far as it will move, to its stop. The tensioner arm should move smoothly throughout its range of travel, with firm spring pressure and without binding. Most tensioner pulleys can be replaced independently of the tensioner itself.
How can I test my idler pulley for wobble?
There should be no wobble and no lateral play. Idler pulleys are checked the same way. Next, test the tensioner spring and arm operation. Using the breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, move the tensioner arm against the spring as far as it will move, to its stop.
How many miles can a serpentine belt last?
As a general rule, a serpentine belt lasts up to 50,000 miles or five years before it need to be replaced. Some can even last for up to 80,000 miles without any problems, but consult the owner’s manual for exact service interval.
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). Fortunately, the belt can help you diagnose the problem, both before you remove it and afterward:
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
The replacement cost is only going to be between $100 and $200 in most cases. The belt itself will cost between $25 and $80 while the labor costs will probably be between $75 and $120. Taxes and fees will be added onto these prices too. The ease of accessing the serpentine belt will determine how much the labor costs are.
Can a power steering pump work without a serpentine belt?
Some of the main accessories include a power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, and water pump. However, these devices cannot function properly without the help of a serpentine belt. This one long continuous belt is the force that drives many of the engine’s peripheral devices.
Why is my belt tensioner not working properly?
Another common cause is that the belt tensioner is froze / stuck and not functioning. The tensioner does exactly what it’s name says- keeps tension on the belt.
Another common cause is that the belt tensioner is froze / stuck and not functioning. The tensioner does exactly what it’s name says- keeps tension on the belt.
Why does my car make a slipping belt noise?
Belt noise can be hard to isolate, as the sound may seem to be coming from an accessory drive, such as the alternator or air conditioning compressor. A noise that occurs only when the vehicle accelerates is likely to be a slipping belt, as is a noise that occurs only when the car is started cold.