Serpentine belt keeps breaking?

Hello,

It absolutely could causing this. As a matter of fact that would be my prime culprit for this is a component that's bearing has seized up causing the pulley to lock up. Usually what will happen with a tensioner is that the arm will usually get a little bent and it will cause the belt to come off at higher rpm's or the spring will lose tension allowing the belt to come off, but not shred unless it get caught in something else. I would double check to compressor pulley operation and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

With belt off, check the pulleys, especially the belt tensioner pulley and the idler pulley one or both may be frozen, and does not wobble, make sure the belt tensioner is free to turn easily. If pulley are OK then check the belt for belt alignment.

If the a/c compressor is the problem. You can disconnect the wires going to the a/c compressor.

Yup. If a serpentine belt is off by 1/16", it has to slide across the pulley as it goes around it. Look for a worn bearing in the tensioner pulley. I can see the tensioner is worn out and needs replacement.

As far as the belts breaking, make sure there are no pulleys that are not aligned. The PS pump doesn't require a break in. Make sure that the air has been bled from the system and it should work.

Hi there,

This may be a case of a failed idler pulley bearing, or the comp may be failing, the clutch on the compressor should spin freely with the air off, and the idler pulley should also spin freely with no side movement, noise or harshness, check these out, if the pulley is faulty no big deal, but if the comp is failing this will be more expensive depending on what the problem is, check this out first.

Mark (mhpautos)

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com

If the AC compressor is locked up, the pulley will not turn and burn up the belt. If that is the case, here is what I recommend. If you do not plan on repairing the compressor, I suggest getting an AC bypass pulley. Basically, the pulley takes the place of the compressor. The problem with doing it differently is there is no proper way to re-route the serpentine belt. Some people try getting a smaller belt, but most times it does not work.

Call your local parts store and see if they can get you an "AC Bypass Pulley". There is a company that manufacturers many aftermarket components. If you google search Dorman 34151, that should be the part you need. And yes, there are other companies that make them. I only mention this company because they are widely know.

Please do not order the part based on the part number I provided without confirming it is correct with the parts store. I think you will find the part is basically the same price as a new belt.

Let me know if this helps or if you have any other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Hello,

This is probably a problem with your serpentine belt tensioner. I have a Ford Mustang GT 4.6L with a Vortech V1 supercharger and my engine is very susceptible to the belt shredding since the serpentine belt also turns the supercharger. What happens is the tensioner checks bent or the internal spring gets weak and the belt will loose tension, partially come off, and shred. On my vehicle it happens at higher RPM's. Replace the serpentine belt tensioner, per instructions in the documents below and get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros