Once on the belt, any of these fluids will be distributed over the pulley groove surfaces, making them slippery and attracting dirt. Serpentine belts stretch with age and use, but the tensioner is spring-loaded to keep the belt tight on the pulleys. If a belt starts slipping, the tensioner should always be checked to see if it is functioning properly. With the belt off, visually inspect the tensioner for any cracks or signs of metal-to-metal contact between the tensioner arm and the spring case.
Then spin the tensioner pulley manually. There should be no binding or resistance and the pulley should spin smoothly. It should make only a quiet smooth sound, without clicking, grinding, or irregular noises.
Push the pulley side-to-side and in and out on its shaft. 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. 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. Unfortunately, some vehicle manufacturers do not sell the pulley separately from the entire tensioner assembly. NOTE: While replacing a tensioner or idler pulley ordinarily requires nothing more than removing the single bolt holding it in place, these bolts are often reverse threaded.
Be sure to check the factory shop manual for thread direction and torque specifications. The assembly, however, normally includes the pulley. When installing the new tensioner, tighten the bolts to the torque specification given in the factory shop manual. Please review the following symptoms of a bad serpentine belt to make sure that your car problems are accurately diagnosed.
The serpentine belt transports power to your vital automotive components. The serpentine belt is so named for the long, winding belt that keeps the alternator, the power steering pump, and the air conditioning running smoothly and effectively. In some cases, the serpentine belt controls the water pump.
An operational serpentine belt equivocates into a smoothly running engine. With improvements in rubber, serpentine belts now last much longer than they did in previous decades.
Most serpentine belts generally last between fifty-thousand and one-hundred thousand miles. It is important to know that eventually, all serpentine belts deteriorate. This is because serpentine belts fall apart due to continuous exposure to heat and friction. In such cases, they will need to be replaced.
Deep cracking in the ribs and spine of the serpentine belt is a common indicator your belt is due to be replaced. A noisy belt is also indicative of a problem.
Your serpentine belt can also become contaminated with oil or coolant due to other issues with the vehicle. These contaminants will reduce the life of the belt and contribute to irregular noises. An aged belt may become shiny or glazed in appearance.
It may also begin to harden and lose some of its flexibility. An aged belt made of EPDM rubber may also show excessive wear in the ribs and valleys of the belt which can lead to slippage. Instead, it will wear and lose rubber similar to the way a tire wears out. EPDM belts need to have the rib valleys inspected with a belt wear gauge.
Yes, you can. Belt failure can occur anytime, and the consequences may be dangerous. The serpentine belt typically will need inspection and replacement around 60k to 90k miles of usage.
Being proactive about getting an old belt checked can prevent the hassle and potential danger of ending up with a broken belt.
Premature failure can occur from uneven drive belt wear if the serpentine belt is misaligned. If the tensioner or pulleys are worn or damaged, they could cause a loose serpentine belt that might just fall off instead of breaking. The good news is, the serpentine belt displays apparent signs of wear well before it will break. Here are a couple of symptoms you should be alert for:. If you notice any of these, it might be time to call the mechanic and get a serpentine belt replacement.
It can be somewhat nerve-wracking if your drive belt breaks, especially if it happens at high speeds. The best thing to do is not panic and know that your vehicle will keep running for a bit while you get it to safety. To avoid this scenario, good car care is essential. RepairSmith is a mobile mechanic repair and maintenance service available 7-days a week , offering easy online booking and a 12 month, 12,mile warranty.
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