Do I have to replace the tensioner with the V-ribbed belt?
The spring may have worn out and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt taut. For this reasonIt is often recommended that the tensioner and idler pulley, if fitted, be replaced at the same time as the multi-ribbed belt.
Most serpentine belts last for50,000 km or more.
The easiest way to know when a new serpentine belt is needed isif you hear it squeaking while the engine is running. A heavy rainstorm can cause a bit of squeaking, but if any liquid leaks, it's time to replace it immediately.
A belt that is too tight can burn out every bearing on which the belt rotates, including alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An overtightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected to.
On most vehiclesThe strap should not depress more than ½ inch. If it can be pushed deeper, the strap is too loose.
If you don't replace your tensioner when it wears out,This can cause further damage to your power steering, alternator and air conditioning, all driven by the drive belt.
Driving with a bad belt tensioner is unsafesince the tensioner is designed to guarantee sufficient tension that drives the accessory. Wear on the belt tensioner will eventually cause the belt to slip, making loud noises and also generating unsafe heat along the idler pulleys.
Most modern cars that roll off the dealership new have one60,000 or 100,000 kmLife expectancy for the V-ribbed belt, the tensioner and the idler pulleys.
How long will my car run with a broken V-belt? There are a few variables involved in the response, but it should be executablebetween 20 to 90 minutes. On a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
Serpentine straps stretch with age and use; Over time, the rubber becomes drier and less pliable, making cracks more likely to occur. However,Cracks can also be caused by a defective tensioner. The tensioner is spring loaded to keep the belt taut on the pulleys.
What happens if the V-belt breaks while driving?
This can result in a sudden loss of power assistance to the steering system, causing the steering wheel to suddenly become very difficult to turn. A broken V-belt can prevent the water pump from circulating coolant through the cooling system, causing the engine to overheat.
Remove the old belt. Check the tensioner for wear by turning it by hand before installing the new belt.Noisy, loose, or overtightened idler pulleysneed to be replaced.
squeaking and chirping: The most common serpentine belt noises. There are two types of noise that a serpentine belt typically makes. One is chirping, the other is squeaking. They are each the result of different problems within the front-end drive system.
Unexpected noise:A squeaking noise often indicates slippage between the belts and pulleys. A chirping noise can be due to a pulley or drive belt misalignment, as well as a variety of other problems. Tensile Break: A common indicator of misalignment, tensile breaks can be due to uneven cord loading.
A belt that is too loose on a pulley will cause slippage, resulting in friction heat build-up. This heat will damage your rubber straps, causing the straps to snap and break. A belt that is too tight can put extra stress on your bearings and cause your motor to run over amps, resulting in motor failure.
Overstretched belts will becreate excessive belt elongation and reduce both belt and bearing life as bearing loads increase. When checking belt tension, belts should also be inspected for cracks or fraying as this indicates belt wear.
Yes you can. But if you know you have a worn belt, it's better to replace a serpentine belt. There is no reason to knowingly endanger your vehicle or your own safety when driving with a bad serpentine belt. Belt failures can happen at any time and the consequences can be dangerous.
A loose drive belt will often beloud, squeaks a little, or emits a high-pitched squeak. However, the most obvious sign of a loose drive belt is its appearance and tension. A loose belt, simply put, looks and feels loose.
Serpentine belts stretch with age and use; Over time, the rubber becomes drier and less pliable, making cracks more likely to occur.
If the pulley is damaged, replace the tensioner assembly, not just the pulley. If an idler pulley is damaged, also check the tensioner as vibration caused by a bad idler can damage the tensioner.
What does a defective tensioner sound like?
If the tensioner or idler pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause damage to the belt and pulleyshigh-pitched rattling or chirping noises. Complete pulley bearing failure can also cause squeaking or even grinding noises.
without belt,Engine stalling and overheatingbecome commonplace. For auditory cues, a squeaky noise from the engine belt can be a telltale sign. As the pulley wears, the engine belt can squeak as it rubs against the pulley surface. The problem will get worse over time.
All of these things are controlled by a well-functioning serpentine or V-belt.Once your belt is compromised, it can cause further damage to the vital systems — like the alternator, water pump, power steering, and air conditioning — that depend on it.
The belt squeaks because it isincorrect tension in the belt drive system. This is usually caused by a worn auto-tensioner, but other causes can include a dirty belt (oil, belt polish, etc.) or a belt that is too long or worn.
That's right,Ordinary bar soap can usually stop squeaking when rubbed on a fan belt. Just a few rubs on the belt with bar soap can solve the bar squeak problem for some time while saving money in the process.
HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE WITH A BAD INTERMEDIATE PULLEY?With a failed idler pulley, you can easily drive your vehicle tens of thousands of miles before the engine components continue to function normally. However, if the engine belt slips, you could lose control of the vehicle while driving.
However,When bearings fail, both tensioner and idler pulleys must be replaced. If there is an unusual noise such as a grinding or squeaking noise, or if any of the parts wobble, this is a sign that a replacement is necessary.
Other upgrades are also worthwhile when replacing the alternator and alternator.Go ahead and change the serpentine belt, tensioner, and idler pulley when replacing an alternator on your car or truck.
Since the serpentine belt helps cool the motor with electricity,A broken belt can cause the car engine to overheat because the water pump is not turning. Once the engine starts to overheat, have it checked by a mechanic as it can cause a breakdown and engine damage if left overheated.
Usually, a damaged belt tensioner does not affect vehicle performance. It would cause the serpentine or drive belt to wear out or squeak prematurely - butnot cause the acceleration problem.
How often do V-belts fail?
Because a serpentine strap is made of durable rubber, it can hold up anywhere50.000-100.000 km.
It depends on how the belt runs.With the water pump running, you won't get more than a few milesfrom overheating. If the water pump is still fine you should be able to drive about 20 miles on a good battery.
Place the metal end of the screwdriver on the part you think has a bad pulley bearing. Be careful to only touch an area that isn't moving. Put your ear to the other end of the screwdriver, and then listen.If you hear a chirping or squeaking noise, you've found the bad bearing part.
The cost of the serpentine belt itself could be around $50 and the labor cost could be around $150. As a result, the cost of a serpentine belt could suffice for replacement$70 bis $200depending on your exact model and where you have it replaced.
The key during this break-in ride is to take it easy and stop frequently.Stop every few miles and shut off the engine to allow your belt to cool. Stopping occasionally is an essential part of a proper break-in period. A little patience is all it takes to warm up your new drive belt.
Belts that are too tight put excessive strain on pulleys, shafts and bearings. Excessive belt tension also wears out the belt quickly. The correct belt tension is1/2 inch side clearanceboth ways. Push the belt down midway between the pulleys and watch the run.
Hit the belt with a karate chop and if it feels tight, the drive is properly tensioned." "Press on the belt with your thumb until it deflects about 1/2 inch." "Load the drive until you feel a slight bend in the slack side of the barrel.
The real reason why belts squeak, chirp and make other noises
If a newly installed serpentine belt makes noise, that's ita sign of a problem in the front drive system of the engine. The sound of the serpentine belt is equivalent to a "Check Engine" light indicating something is wrong with the belt drive system.
A.If the belts are too tight, they can stress the shaft (and its bearings) of the alternator, power steering pump, and even the water pump. Most straps are installed on the tight side because they will initially stretch.
If your belt does not go through the first belt loop, It's too short. So make sure you are wearing a size that is long enough to be worn properly and ends somewhere in the middle between the first and second belt loops.
What happens if the belt tension is lower?
If a belt is not properly tensioned,it runs too loose or too tight on the pulley. A belt that is too loose on a pulley will cause slippage, resulting in friction heat build-up. This heat will damage your rubber straps, causing the straps to snap and break.
Check the tension of the V-ribbed beltFind the longest run between the drive pulleys and press on the center of the belt. A brand new and properly installed serpentine belt should be taut with less than half an inch of slack, while a worn belt may sag an inch or more.
Serpentine belts stretch with age and use; Over time, the rubber becomes drier and less pliable, making cracks more likely to occur. However, cracks can also be caused by a defective tensioner.