Serpentine belt riding along rim/Edge of A/C compressor pulley

Tiny
MEGAN BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
I have been trying to diagnose my sister's car's issues and recently noticed that the serpentine belt is only halfway on the A/C compressor pulley. The inside edge (edge that faces the engine) of the belt is on the flat part of the pulley, where the belt should be. But the outside edge(edge facing the passenger-side fender) is riding up on the rim of the A/C compressor pulley. And yet the belt is aligned correctly with the other pulleys. I am crossing my fingers hoping that any of the symptoms or problems an off-kilter belt may cause will match some of what I have been experiencing thus giving me another piece to this puzzle. What symptoms would be experienced from this? Thank you for your help!
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 9:39 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.
Is there a chance you can upload a picture with your phone? That would help. Thanks for using 2Carpros and hope to hear back soon.
Danny-
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 3:29 AM
Tiny
MEGAN BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Here are the pictures of the PT Cruiser serpentine belt riding the edge of the pulley. For orientation: these are taken from above. Leaning over the passenger side fender, looking down. Top of picture is engine, bottom is passenger fender, off to to the right is front of car, to the left is windshield. Hope that all makes sense and helps!
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

I see what you are talking about now. That is kind of dangerous so it needs to get fixed quickly. I have attached a tutorial showing how to remove/replace a serpentine belt. I have attached a picture and circled in red the components involved in the loosening/tightening to get the belt back on track. The belt that goes around the alternator has three bolts to be loosened to slip it back on track and then tighten.The tension-er has a strong spring so it takes force or a specialty wrench with extra leverage to loosen. Hope this hopes and feel free to ask any other questions.Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-tensioner-works
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 1:35 AM
Tiny
MEGAN BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for the picture and video guides! Even though I am quite sure the Cruiser has more problems than just this belt issue. I would like to know, in your opinion/experience, could this belt issue cause rough idle, stalling once warmed up, hesitation/stuttering on acceleration and/or trigger a misfire trouble code? Any of these symptoms?
(FYI- I have done plugs and wires, coil, replaced MAP sensor, removed and cleaned throttle body and camshaft sensor, just to name a few)
Thanks for your help!
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Friday, September 7th, 2018 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.
No, the belt would not cause drive-ability issues like that. Is the Check Engine Light on? Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Friday, September 7th, 2018 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
MEGAN BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes, occasionally the CEL illuminates. I have gotten the P0302 and was told by another mechanic that cylinder two had low compression and would need $1,800.00 of work (pull cylinder, machine the head and replace). Not sure if a compression test was done to get that diagnosis or if that was just the next thing on the list after ruling out other possible causes. There very well might be low compression in cylinder number two, but I am skeptical because the cruiser has thrown codes P0300 and P0304 prior to and since being with that mechanic this past June. On 8/25/18 pulled codes P0300, P0304 and P0108. On 8/28/18 pulled code P0302. On 9/7/18 pulled P0302. Also that same day (and for the first time ever) I cleared the codes with my scanner tool then pulled P0508. What do you make of this? I am putting my money on it being a failing fuel pump and something electrical (since 108 and 508 are circuit/voltage codes). Maybe a failing alternator and/or tension-er based on the belt issue? I would love any input. Thanks!
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Friday, September 14th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
MEGAN BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Also, I got the serpentine belt back on the pulley. However after starting the cruiser and idling for a very short time the belt had worked its way back to that same position of riding the rim/edge of the pulley. It is baffling.
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Friday, September 14th, 2018 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

What is going on with the belt is weird. Sounds like a pulley or the tension-er is not in line causing it to become out of line. The code P0508 is for the Idle Air Control valve. Is the Idle unusually high/erratic? Having the P0300 codes are for cylinder misfires and could be caused by the low compression found in the engine code P0302 is specifically for cylinder number two. Code P0108 is for the MAP sensor and would also cause engine to run poorly/erratic as well. Not sure how much more you want to spend on the car but $1,800.00 is a lot of money. Would they give you a warranty/guarantee with that work? Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 10:24 AM

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