When to put a new serpentine belt on a car?
When to put a new serpentine belt on a car?
A good mechanic would make sure everything is rotating freely before putting the new belt. I find it hard to believe the shop didn’t check the water pump – the serpentine belt drives the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor. If the water pump is frozen, likely it would at least break/throw the serpentine belt.
Do you need to replace the water pump belt?
The water pump of any vehicle is a critical mechanical part that can last a very long time without having to be replaced, as long as the water pump belt is replaced as recommended by the manufacturer.
What causes a serpentine belt to break off?
When a serpentine belt breaks it’s usually because the belt just wore out, or that the tensioner (which to me is the “weak link” of the various pulley-equipped items the belt drives)–that the tensioner went out of alignment, or that the spring in the tensioner, which keeps the belt taught, just rusted up and stopped putting tension on the belt.
What makes the belt on a water pump break?
The pump is operated by a serpentine belt made out of rubber and nylon cords that also operates your other accessories, including the power steering pump and air conditioner compressor. Over an extended period of time through normal use and exposure to high temperatures, this water pump belt will become brittle, crack and eventually break.
A good mechanic would make sure everything is rotating freely before putting the new belt. I find it hard to believe the shop didn’t check the water pump – the serpentine belt drives the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor. If the water pump is frozen, likely it would at least break/throw the serpentine belt.
Should I replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt?
If that is the case, then it is advisable to replace the water pump & auxiliary drive belt at the same time as the timing belt while the mechanic has access to all the parts. Once the timing belt is removed, it is only a matter of loosening a few more bolts and screws to change the water pump as well.
What happens if a serpentine belt falls off?
The belt may also fall off if it is improperly routed or if it is the wrong belt. Using a gauge to check for belt wear (Image courtesy of tradetrucks.com) 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).
What did the serpentine belt break on my son’s Chevy Lumina?
The serpentine belt in my son’s 1999 Chevy Lumina broke. The repair shop replaced the belt and the tensioner. $180 repair bill. The night he got the care from the shop, the belt broke again. This time, they said the water pump froze up, broke the serpentine belt and bent the pully on the tensioner. $275 to fix it this time.
How to remove power steering pump pulley without puller?
When you are sure that the tool is perfectly tightened and the steering pulley is properly installed, you would have to flush it altogether with the pump input shaft. After doing this, you can get a well deserved rest for doing a nice job. 1. The first thing to do is to gain access to the harmonic balancer by removing the serpentine belt.
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 a serpentine belt breaks it’s usually because the belt just wore out, or that the tensioner (which to me is the “weak link” of the various pulley-equipped items the belt drives)–that the tensioner went out of alignment, or that the spring in the tensioner, which keeps the belt taught, just rusted up and stopped putting tension on the belt.
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.
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.
