Why does a serpentine belt keep breaking?

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). Excessive cracking: Other than severe old age, defective tensioner.

Can a bad belt tensioner cause a car to break?

In more severe instances, a bad tensioner pulley can cause the drive belt to break. Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner.

Can a bad belt pulley cause a car to break?

In more severe instances, a bad tensioner pulley can cause the drive belt to break. Failure of the Belt-driven Accessories to Operate Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner.

How can I tell if my belt tensioner is worn?

Then shine a flashlight on the roller/pulley at the end of the belt tensioner arm. The tensioner arm should only move about 1/32″. If the tensioner arm moves more than 1/32″ the dampening mechanism is worn and the tensioner must be replaced. The sign of a good tensioner is to only see 1/32” movement.

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.

What causes the brake lines to bleed on a Chevy?

Bleed the brake lines as recommended by Chevy to fix this. You could also have a ballooning brake hose when the brakes are applied. Check your brake hoses for anomalies. Excessive Brake Travel: If the brake linings are worn, the drum brakes are misadjusted or the brake lines have air in them, you will have this issue.

How do you know if your Chevy has a brake problem?

You will find the booster between the master cylinder and the firewall in your engine compartment. A check valve that is faulty can also let vacuum bleed out. You can diagnose this by starting your Chevy in order to build vacuum, and then turning it off for four or five minutes. Then you should try the brakes.

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.