How do you remove a serpentine belt from an engine?
How do you remove a serpentine belt from an engine?
Use your hand to carefully pry the belt tensioner arm away from the serpentine belt and move the belt off the tensioner pulley with your other hand. Gently release the pressure from the tensioner. Remove the belt from all the pulleys by hand and pull it up and out of the engine well.
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.
What does the serpentine belt on a Ford Explorer do?
Serpentine belts are responsible for transferring torque energy form the engine’s crank pulley out to the engine accessory pulleys. The belt on a 1997 Ford Explorer transfers that torque to a power steering pulley, air conditioning pulley, alternator pulley, idler pulley and belt tensioner pulley every second the engine is running.
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.
When should you replace the serpentine belt?
Most serpentine belts need to be replaced every 40,000 to 70,000 miles. If there are signs of the belt rubbing on something, make sure to identify and repair whatever it was rubbing on to avoid damaging the new belt.
How do you remove a serpentine belt?
To remove the serpentine belt, release tension off of the tensioner. Then grab the serpentine belt between the a/c compressor and alternator just pull it off. You do not need to take it far off.
What are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/ Drive Belt . Common signs include a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt.
How do you know if your serpentine belt is too tight?
If you notice any whine or “pulsing” sound from the alternator, your belt tension is too tight and will damage the alternator. In this case, turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to loosen the belt and recheck the tension. Do a final check. You can also check for continuous power from all your accessories.
How do you replace a belt on a car?
Pry the serpentine belt tensioner back out of the belt path once more and loop the replacement belt over the belt tensioner pulley with your other hand. Carefully allow the tensioner to return to its natural placement while holding the belt in place with your other hand. Remove the belt tensioner tool when done and start the engine.
What makes the belt break on a 1997 Ford Explorer?
The belt on a 1997 Ford Explorer transfers that torque to a power steering pulley, air conditioning pulley, alternator pulley, idler pulley and belt tensioner pulley every second the engine is running. All that work can make a belt begin to break down after 60,000 miles.
Use your hand to carefully pry the belt tensioner arm away from the serpentine belt and move the belt off the tensioner pulley with your other hand. Gently release the pressure from the tensioner. Remove the belt from all the pulleys by hand and pull it up and out of the engine well.
Where is the serpentine belt tensioner on a Ford Explorer?
Open the hood on your Ford Explorer and insert the serpentine belt tensioner tool into the slot on the serpentine belt tensioner. Locate the tensioner by consulting the belt routing diagram located on a sticker adhered to your radiator shroud or the underside of the hood.
When to replace the belt on a Ford Explorer?
All that work can make a belt begin to break down after 60,000 miles. While most Ford belts last over 100,000 miles, you should inspect yours regularly and replace it immediately if you see any signs of excessive wear. Open the hood on your Ford Explorer and insert the serpentine belt tensioner tool into the slot on the serpentine belt tensioner.
Pry the serpentine belt tensioner back out of the belt path once more and loop the replacement belt over the belt tensioner pulley with your other hand. Carefully allow the tensioner to return to its natural placement while holding the belt in place with your other hand. Remove the belt tensioner tool when done and start the engine.
