Repair Topics / Serpentine Belt

Car Engine Serpentine Belt - Multi Rib Belt - Belt Tensioner Questions

Question:  1997 Saturn SL2 mileage: 138,000. Ok experts...my serpentine belt was squealing a few weeks ago. The old handy man hubby replaced it (after much cussing and complaining about not enough room to work, blah blah blah)....well the belt is back to squealing and he has tried to tighten it, and thinks its as tight as it will get. Any suggestions...aside from trading in my hubby and car?

Answer:   It is normally a good practice to replace the spring loaded belt tensioner when replacing the serpentine belt. Also, check to see that no oil or grease has gotten on the pulleys.

Question: 2001 Buick LeSabre mileage: 42,000. I purchased a serpentine belt with the idea I would replace the one on my Buick. I thought it would be a 10-minute job. Wrong....I found a motor mount in the way. This mount is fastened to the engine at three points, and the belt goes between the two top connections and around the bottom one. Does this mount have to be completely removed or just the bottom connection in order to replace the belt? Does the engine need to be supported during replacement?

Answer:   Unfortunately on your type car, to replace the serpentine belt, the engine must be supported and the engine mount disconnected to replace the belt.

Question:   2001 Dodge Ram 1500 mileage: 100,000. Hi guys, I have a quick question regarding the alternator belt in my Plymouth Acclaim.  Last year during the winter the alternator serpentine belt fell off while backing out of some deep snow. I put the belt back on. This summer the belt started squealing so I replaced it. Now the belt has fallen off three times already when driving through rain puddles. What can I do to prevent the belt from falling off when driving through puddles (the puddles are not that big...everyone else can go through them)?

Answer:   Check the alignment of the pulleys and replace the belt tensioner. Recheck belt operation.

Question: 1995 Pontiac Sunfire mileage: 102,000.  My car won't stop squealing, especially when it rains, but recently when it hasn't.  I've gone through two belts in the past four years.  The last belt was quiet for half a year because the mechanic told me to replace the water pump, which I did (under warranty).  Their explanation was that the belt was too dry, so I believed them.  The service advisor poured a little water on the belt to demonstrate, and instantly the noise was even louder.  After the demonstration, he applied some silicone lubricant and the noise disappeared.  I don't believe that this solved the problem because the noise came back again. A neighbor told me that the tensioner might need to be replaced because the spring could be worn out.  I brought that up with the service department, however, they said it was fine.  Is there anything else that I can check to solve this problem?

Answer: Try replacing the belt tensioner and install a new belt.  If the tensioner is weak, it will allow the belt to slip slightly causing the belt to glaze.  A glazed belt would be the cause of your squeaking problems.  We no of no belt conditioner that would quiet a glazed belt for any length of time.

Question: 2001 Saturn SC2  mileage: 48,000. Do you have a diagram to install the serpentine drive belt?  It broke and I don't have a diagram to install the new one.

Answer: Please go to the here to find the information you need.

Question: 2003 Ford F150 Truck mileage: 117,000.  When I start my engine, cold only, I hear a squealing noise, like the serpentine belt.  The noise goes away after the engine warms up a little.  About a year ago, I replaced the belt with a FORD factory belt.  Help?

Answer: Try replacing the belt tensioner and install a new belt.  If the tensioner is weak, it will allow the belt to slip slightly causing the belt to glaze.  A glazed belt would be the cause of your squeaking problems.  We no of no belt conditioner that would quiet a glazed belt for any length of time.

Question: 1996 Cadillac DeVille, mileage: 76,000.  Recently purchased this car.  A wobbly Power Steering pulley trashed serpentine belt.  I bent the pulley straight but cannot find where to release tension on idler.  Please help.

Answer:   The belt tensioner is spring loaded.  Use a wrench to pull it back to install the belt.

Question: 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee mileage 76,000. I just had my water pump and serpentine belt replaced on my Jeep Grand Cherokee. The mechanics did not put the serpentine belt on right and my fan cut it up. After they replaced it, free they told me there was no damage to the engine but my engine is squealing kind of loud now. I was wondering how the serpentine belt breaking like that could damage my engine.

Answer: We do not think there is damage to your engine. The squealing sound is probably a result of the belt not being tensioned properly. There is a remote chance the water pump is faulty. Try removing the belt and spinning the water pump by hand. It should spin free with no noise.

Repair Topics / Serpentine Belt

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