Common questions

What happens if a serpentine belt goes bad?

What happens if a serpentine belt goes bad?

The serpentine belt in most modern vehicles transfers power from the crank pulley to the various accessories mounted on the engine. A worn or damaged serpentine belt can fail to adequately transfer the power, leaving your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning failing to function.

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.

What’s the difference between V-belts and serpentine belts?

Older engines have v-belts instead of serpentine belts. These are thinner and smaller than serpentine belts and usually connect one accessory to the crankshaft. You’ll often see multiple v-belts in an engine, but only one serpentine belt.

What to look for in a serpentine belt inspection?

Look for tears or abrasions. If you see any it means the serpentine drive belt is rubbing a pulley flange or bolt as it winds its way around. This will happen more often as the drive belt gets older. If this happens you may need to file a pulley flange smooth or bend something out of the way. Also look for pinholes and/or bumps.

Why is my serpentine belt not working properly?

You can drive the car for some time without noticing any problems. Eventually, because of battery discharge, the lights will get dimmer and the car will start to crank poorly. Only then will you notice that you have a problem. Main cause of this problem is material fatigue of the belt so changing it on time will probably prevent this.

Are there any recalls on the Chevy Corvette?

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

What is the function of the serpentine belt?

One more crucial device driven by the serpentine belt is the alternator. It’s in charge of providing the car with electric power. It’s proper function and voltage output highly depend on good condition of the belt.

Why does my serpentine belt make a screeching sound?

The belt slides over a motionless pulley causing extensive friction, heat and the recognizable sound. The screeching sound may also be caused by a severely worn out serpentine belt (in this case, it must be nearly pulverized).

What kind of pulley does a serpentine belt use?

Determine if there is a belt tensioner pulley. Depending on the application, your serpentine belt will either have tension placed on it using a movable bracket or an auto tensioner pulley. This pulley uses an internal spring to apply consistent pressure to the belt at all times.

How can I increase the tension on my serpentine belt?

Increase the tension on the belt. If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.

When was the Ford Mustang serpentine belt invented?

Replacement Ford Mustang Belt Tech Info. Fun Fact: The serpentine belt was invented by Jim Vance while working for the Gates Rubber Company and first used by Ford Motor Company for the 1979 Ford Mustang.

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 is it time to replace your serpentine drive belt?

Check for cracks, chunks missing, abrasions, rib separation, uneven rib wear, and damaged ribs. If you notice any of these, it is time to replace your serpentine/drive belt. As soon as you notice a squealing noise, loss of power steering, the engine overheating, or the belt looks bad,…

Who was the inventor of the serpentine belt?

Fun Fact: The serpentine belt was invented by Jim Vance while working for the Gates Rubber Company and first used by Ford Motor Company for the 1979 Ford Mustang.

Where do I find the serpentine belt routing diagram?

Find the serpentine belt routing diagram. Many cars come with a sticker in the engine bay that shows exactly how the serpentine belt is supposed to be routed through the various pulleys on the engine. If your vehicle does not have a sticker, you will need to find another way to remember how the belt should be run.

How is the tension set on a serpentine belt?

Depending on the application, your serpentine belt will either have tension placed on it using a movable bracket or an auto tensioner pulley. This pulley uses an internal spring to apply consistent pressure to the belt at all times. If your vehicle does not have a tensioner pulley, the alternator bracket is likely how tension is set on the belt.

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Ruth Doyle