A spare serpentine belt is a key component of any spare parts kit designed for a Jeep long-distance expedition in remote areas. I brought my car back to the same auto shop and they agreed to fix the belt at no charge. +1 for @Yosemite. Your answer will be used to improve our content. 98. I created this blog to share what I learned and to make it easier for you to improve your quiet space too. The belt may also be guided by an idler pulley and/or a belt tensioner (which may be spring-loaded, hydraulic, or manual). We’ll help you diagnose the problem, make the necessary repairs, and work to prevent it from happening in the future. Rotate the tensioner pulley--in the same direction you turned it for belt removal--and slide the belt over the tensioner pulley. The greatest feature this piece has to offer is an … Spray the Belt with Water – A 5-Minute Diagnostic, How to Make a Serpentine Belt Stop Squeaking, Car Soundproofing: How To Get Some Peace Of Mind On The Road, Alternator Noise: How to Diagnose and Fix, 6 Ways How to Quiet a Rattling Catalytic Converter, How to Silence Noisy Zippers on Shoes, Backpack, Tent, Sleeping Bag. It does the tasks that used to require multiple belts. As you start the project, visual inspection of the serpentine belt will testify the need for a new one. Observe if there are hard shiny or wet areas that could indicate leaks or contamination by coolants or other chemicals. The serpentine belt may be located at the front, rear, or side of the engine as you see it in the vehicle’s engine bay, and is used to power vehicle accessories like air conditioning, power steering, and the alternator. Open the hood and inspect the serpentine belt for wear and damage, and its tension. If a belt starts slipping, the tensioner should always be checked to see if it is functioning properly. 15 minute job at most; and keep your old belt as an emergency spare somewhere in the truck. Look for tears or abrasions. In most automobiles before 1990, there were commonly two or more V-shaped belts used to drive different devices on an engine. First of all, I tried to use it as a means of not taking a vehicle to a mechanic to get a belt replaced since the vehicle it was going on is strictly for beach use, this was in no way an emergency. An improperly installed belt affects belt tension and can damage pumps, motors, and brackets, leading to more expensive repairs. If the noise only occurs when turning, starting the engine, or accelerating, it probably is a worn or loose belt. I’ll be taking a trip in my 2003 Dakota (235.000 miles) from near Milwaukee, Wi to Phoenix, Az. If the belt seems fine, start the engine and squirt the ribbed side of the belt with some water. Check for coolant, oil, or grease spills or leaks that may get on the belt. Post Nov 19, 2005 #2 2005-11 … Fix the underlying problem and replace the belt if it is worn or damaged to stop the squeaking. 4.9 out of 5 stars 54. Rotate the tensioner and slide the drive belt off the pulley/roller. If the noise doesn’t change at all, then it’s not a belt issue but a failing auxiliary pump or motor. Knowing what it does and what different sounds can mean is a good start in car maintenance. While the engine is off, pop the hood and check the belt for wear. Excessive belt wear or damage often indicates a misalignment. Dress accordingly and wear safety glasses or goggles. But, when applied to a serpentine belt, the dressing will be spread into the pulley grooves. Author Topic: Emergency serpentine belt fix in Denny's parking lot (Read 7103 times) hollis. Route the new serpentine belt over the accessory pulleys, except the tensioner pulley, on all engine models. Replacing Serpentine belt on a Toyota camry 2003— ... not open trunk. When I have the belt changed I put the old one in the trunk. Lift Old Belt Out: Old OEM Belt Removed: Pull the old belt off the pulleys and out of the engine bay. … One of the pulleys will be a tensioner. By the end, you’ll know how to diagnose potential belt concerns, and understand how to maintain and repair the belt. Serpentine Belt, as you may have heard of, is a robust rubber belt of exclusive high quality. What you need;-New serpentine belt.-14mm socket and ratchet (or wrench).-Drop light/flash light.-About 1 hour of free time. In case you are planning to get your hands dirty to rescue your pocket then it will cost you anywhere between $40-$70. Kwyorman . In most cases, this is not a sign of an emergency and the belt can last some more. A temporary quieting of the noise before it returns to “normal” volume indicates a misaligned pulley or a worn belt – if the belt isn’t worn, then it’s a pulley. How often and when the noise occurs provides more information about the cause. I'll have to remember a piece of spliced rope is a good emergency belt. If it doesn’t spin freely, the component should be replaced. Review the owner’s manual for your vehicle specs. When your serpentine belt is making squealing sounds, it is a good idea to inspect for the cause. A belt that is past its life expectancy may still look good, but if the engine is noisy, replace it. Most common reason for this is higher air humidity in the morning combined with a belt that’s nearing its end. Sunday afternoon, I tried to drive my car and my battery/emergency lights were on and I had no power steering. If everything checks out, turn the engine on. If the belt isn’t worn or damaged, the water test can help narrow down the possible causes of the noise. Turn the engine on, kick it to a low idle, and open the hood. However, cracking can also be caused by a defective tensioner. Checking Things Out. Difficulty Scale: 5 of 10 Begin with the vehicle on level ground, engine cold (off) in park with the emergency brake set. Most cars today have a single belt, called a serpentine belt. Our mobile mechanics make arrangements to provide services at a time and place that is convenient for you, keeping you on the road with minimal impact on your schedule. You can work from your memory, or look for a routing belt diagram in your owner's documentation. An improperly installed belt may still operate all or most mechanical and electrical functions powered by the drive shaft. If there is no belt routing decal under the hood (which many cars lack), your customer should snap a photo of the belt before it is removed with a phone camera, or make a simple drawing of how it is routed. Pulleys and shafts should be parallel with each other, and all have the same angle. Get it as soon as Tue, Nov 24. Start the engine and listen. Serpentine belts stretch with age and use; as time goes on, the rubber becomes dryer and less pliable making cracking more prevalent. Considering the lifespan of V belts in older vehicles, These last longer but wear out, eventually. A worn belt is thinner than a new one. Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2010. i'v unbolted latches and key barrel, but i can't find any loose parts or screws. A new squeak or squeal from under the hood could indicate that there is a problem with the serpentine belt. A damaged belt may indicate other issues with the engine or auxiliary components. If there is a misalignment, make the adjustments and tighten the belt. Belt manufacturers addressed the problem with three innovations: the “poly-groove” multi-ribbed belt that could transmit more torque, a serpentine belt that could drive components on both the ribbed and back side, and an automatic belt tensioner that maintained the proper amount of belt tension under all engine operating conditions. All you need is a 3/8 ratchet or serpentine belt tool. The serpentine belt weaves over and under the various engine devices (power steering pump, water pump, alternator, along with the idler and tensioner pulleys). T he tensioner is spring-loaded to keep the belt tight on the pulleys. Tightening the belt may be all that is needed to stop the noise. An increase in the noise means the belt is loose or worn, or both. I began looking at ways to improve the sound quality of my home and to make a soundproof office for myself. Serpentine Belt Noise is comparatively low-cost repair as the belts are accessible everywhere in quite an affordable cost. Loosen or remove the belt to check the bearings of pulleys and attachments. People here gouge you like crazy, and I've heard changing the flasher is one of the easiest things you can do. Most serpentine belts use a flat multi-groove belt, and pantyhose would probably slide off, especially on the smooth pulleys. Belt dressing is a gooey, tar-like substance designed to cure V belt slipping by making the belt sticky. So here is an estimate data for your convenience: Self Repair. It may take a pro 20 minutes; give yourself two to four hours, especially if it’s your only means of transportation. A serpentine belt is a single, continuous belt used to drive multiple peripheral devices in an automotive engine, such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, air pump, etc. It can also damage bearings, wiring, and other engine components. After spraying the water, listen to the noise. '98 2WD, 4-cylinder, 5-speed, white regular cab, purchased in 2004 with 100K on it for the kids to drive, now it's back with us, 253K. There is nothing you can do to repair a cracked serpentine belt or mend a broken one. In case you go for the quality belts then the cost may increase significantly. Start the engine and drop it into a slow idle. The belt drives all auxiliary functions of an automobile – power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning, water pump, plus others. A squirt of water on the smooth side of the belt will confirm if the belt is the culprit or not. Here are some potential causes and what to look and listen for: The belt may stretch with age and wear, causing it to slip on a pulley or two and making it squeak. Check the routing diagram for your serpentine belt. Verified Purchase. I need to remove the fan itself without taking the fan clutch out in order to make room for the serpentine belt to put on. To learn how to check an automatic belt tensioner, see this post. Alternatively, remove the belt, flip it 180°, and reinstall. Hi, I’m Eugene. Make sure you find it and verify the routing before removing the old belt. i have to fold down back seat and crawl inside trunk to open trunk with emergency release lever. If the noise is the same, it’s not caused by a misalignment. Unless you have other problems, like a dodgy idler bearing or air-con compressor etc. If you can push the belt inward more than 1/2″ between the pulleys, it needs to be tightened. My 98 has one on the battery bracket which I luckily didn't paint over. You have to insert the square end into a slot on the tensioner pulley the pull on it until the belt is loose and you can take it off the pulleys. in February to help my buddy arrange his new shop that he built…1850 miles one way. I have to compensate for belt stretch every once in a while and tighten it, but it works. How to make serpentine belt stop squeaking? This is a long term fix if done correctly. Use a routing diagram to put the replacement belt back on to its pulleys. Keep the old belt for an emergency spare. denchak. The pantyhose trick was for v-belts, as they have much deeper grooves on the pulleys. Check the tension of the belt. With age, the rubber may become thinner or have longitudinal cracks or splits. If the serpentine belt gets oil soaked or glazed, it will slip and not provide the proper circulation to keep the engine cool. As the engine warms and the belt moves, the sound should go away. A parallel misalignment may mean a pulley has slipped on its axil, or a component needs to be moved forward or back. The pulleys should spin freely and quietly. Additionally, the edges of the belt may also show damage or wear too. Adjust the belt tension if necessary, and check the alignment of the pulleys as well. The 5-minute diagnostic will help too. The belts would drive the water pump, alternator, power steering, air conditioning compressor, air pump, and other devices different models may have had. Changing a serpentine belt usually requires a long handle breaker bar or special tool to rotate the belt tensioner so the belt can be slipped off the pulleys. I thought I’d heard of someone using an old pair of panty-hose for a temporary fix, once, long ago. F53 Serpentine Belt Replacement – 1999 Southwind 35S I use a standard ole 1/2 inch ratchet drive to pull the tensioner down. If you see noticeable wear on your serpentine belt or hear and unusual noises, come in to see us as soon as possible. Alternatively, if you can twist the belt more than 1/2 way over, it’s too loose. It’s resistant to heat and cracks, and it’s thicker than most OEM belts. The cost of a serpentine belt depends on the make, model, and year of the automobile. Removing the belt makes it easier to check if the pulleys and bearings are the noisemaker. As a serpentine belt gets older and wears down, the rubber parts may peel off, causing the belt to crack, fray, or slip. I am having trouble replacing my serpentine belt. Tensioners are hydraulic, spring-loaded, or manually adjustable. If you have a vehicle in your shop for belt replacement, diagnose why the belt needs to be replaced and not when it was previously replaced. As a DIY enthusiast, I looked for solutions I could do. Never needed it but it’s nice to have a backup if the situation arises. 2.0 out of 5 stars Emergency fan belt. If you have over 50,000 miles on your truck I'd replace the belt. Posts: 1: Member. To address this problem, manufactures developed a belt wear gauge meant for checking the depth of the threads in the serpentine belt. A serpentine belt drives the auxiliary functions of your car. However, it can fail before then if improperly maintained or due to environmental extremes. When ever we buy a used vehicle, one of the maintenance items is to replace the serpentine belt. Gates K060841 Serpentine Belt. Sometimes a worn out serpentine belt is visibly damaged, but that’s not always the case. I've changed my own serpentine belt and I regularly change the oil in my car, I think I can handle this. If it is strictly for use on the fan, it will have very few twists and turns, but if it is a more modern serpentine belt design, it may need to pass through and around a number of pulleys. Also, make sure you have a first-aid kit ready in case of an accident or emergency. A temporary fix is not something to exit the driveway and head somewhere with. Many vehicles have belt routing diagrams under the hood or in the owner’s manual. Take the serpentine belt from the idler pulley and other components. As you can imagine, that puts a lot of wear and tear on the belt. OK,so I am on the road and the belt breaks, If I was desperate i could probably fashion a belt out of duct tape, fold it in half and overlap the cnd connections and make it a little bigger than oribinal serpantine belt to reduce stress, a 20mile fix maybe, but AAA should take care of towing me to a shp for a new belt. Using a spray bottle or atomizer containing water, squirt a small amount of water onto the ribbed side of the belt just ahead of a pulley. Safety Note: Jewelry, loose clothing, and hair are dangerous when combined with moving engine parts. The back of the belt is usually smooth. In this article, I’ll explain what the serpentine belt is and does. If its deteriorated (cracked) it should be replaced. The belt has a nominal life expectancy between 50 and 100 thousand miles. Once the drive belt starts to deteriorate, its life is shortened dramatically. When the belt doesn’t maintain constant adhesion to the various pulleys, it begins to slip and squeal. A serpentine belt is crucial to running numerous things in a car, including the air conditioning and the vehicle’s electrical charging system. How much would it cost to fix a serpentine belt on 1994 Toyota Camry LE? I tried to put the belt on in according to the diagram. Keep your mouth closed and wear goggles as some water may be thrown back at you. The later cars either have a 12mm bolt or a … even the key does not work. The serpentine belt is a vital part of your driving enjoyment. Bar soap applied to the ribbed side of the belt may quiet the noise in the short-haul, or make it louder. The chemicals may make the rubber suppler while making it slip or stretch. Then you will always have a spare should you need one. A worn or damaged belt should be replaced after misalignments, or faulty components have been repaired or replaced. Slowly tighten the adjustment bolt until the belt has the recommended tension. Replacing A Serpentine Engine Belt. Check the manual for comparison and also belt tension and nut torque values. It may mean that the belt is slipping, has become misaligned, or has reached the end of its life. If you need further assistance, I recommend you have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, replace the serpentine belt and inspect the pulleys to make sure they are not extremely hard to move, as this can cause your belt … Remove the belt from the engine. Once there, it will attract and hold dirt and grit. If it starts to make noise, it’s best to take notice and fix whatever is causing the problem. Like Yosemite I put a new belt on and keep the old one in the spare tire compartment along with a tool to install it. When these things occur, it may become misaligned or contaminated with fluid. The Gates serpentine belt is a heavy-duty belt with praiseworthy quality and resistance. I hope you have a better idea of how to make a serpentine belt stop squeaking. The problem Driving with a broken serpentine belt for only one mile on a rough trail will seriously overheat the engine and damage heads/head gaskets beyond … It should disappear as the engine warms up. The tool in the images above is for pre ’99 cars, which use the square hole tensioner, which is about 3/4 inch. Aside from being embarrassing, it usually is an indication that something isn’t right under the hood. The serpentine belt is a continuous flat rubber loop that is used to drive multiple components of a vehicle engine. Misalignment can cause the belt to slip or wear unevenly or give the back a hard glazed look and feel. If you should find yourself on the roadside with a failed serpentine belt, flat tire or other vehicle emergency, our skilled problem solvers are available 24/7 to … Or turned the wheel and it squeals in protest? 2. I had bought my own belt earlier for an emergency. To maintain contact to drive each component, idler pulleys or belt tensioner redirect the belt and keep it tight. It probably cheaper just to carry a spare belt of the correct size…But this might be an option…, http://www.safetycentral.com/ribserbelrep.html. It could also mean there is a faulty pulley or auxiliary device. Check the inside or ribbed side of the belt for damaged or missing rubber, and the overall thickness of the belt. Use a belt gauge to check the groove depths; they get deeper as they wear. The alignment of the belt relies on the pulleys being aligned. You might hear a thumping or rubbing noise, as the belt rubs against the pulleys. A squeaky serpentine belt may indicate a worn, damaged, stretched, or loose belt. Granted it’s not a new belt, but it would probably get you back on the road, to where you can get a new belt at the next big city on your way. Why we like it: The Gates K081264HD Serpentine … At best, it is a temporary palliative, even on a V belt. At least I know I have a belt. The belt is driven by the driveshaft and loops around the various devices. Now your vehicle was not equipped with a timing belt… Open the hood and listen to the sound. If the metal surface is glazed or has belt particles on it, it is probably seized. A constant squeal may mean the tensioner system or a pulley is damaged. Whether you choose to maintain and repair it yourself or hire someone else to do it, you’ll at least know if it’s done right. If the pulleys are dirty, it’s better to find out how they became dirty, fix that problem, and then clean the pulley with an approved solvent. Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Instructions Things You'll Need Wrench set or serpentine belt tool Ribbed serpentine belt 1 Find the auto-adjusting belt tensioner. Some models require the tensioner to be replaced with the belt, which adds $40 to $70. The single largest obstacle for routing is how the heck do you get the belt around the A/C compressor, This is specifically addressed in the article. If you're in need of serpentine belt replacement, Wrench can help. Make sure you find it and verify the routing before removing the old belt. The serpentine belt and pulley alignment go hand-in-hand. Check the owner’s manual and ensure the installation matches the diagram. The dealer service would have charged $30 for a new belt. Check the tension again after all bolts are tightened. It may warn of pulley damage or alignment concerns, or issues with other engine components. However, the fan is in the way. Listen to the sound; the noise will identify if it is the belt tension, a misaligned pulley, or a failing pump or motor. The serpentine belts are pretty good and rarely break. How to replace a serpentine belt on an 05 PT Crusier GT convertable (turbo) Thanks in advance MJ Missouri - Answered by a verified Chrysler Mechanic ... JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. A belt may stretch over time and becomes loose, or the belt tensioner or a pulley becomes loose, misaligned, or damaged. Inspect the old belt for any wear, chunks of missing rubber, fraying or exposed metal wires. What To Listen For. After you acquire the belt wear gauge, remove the serpentine belt and lay it on a flat surface. However, the rubber compounds in the belt can be damaged by WD40. Serpentine Belt Repair and Cost. They claim to improve belt life and may remove contaminants and water. If that happens you need more than a belt. If your belt should begin to go bad, you can replace your serpentine belt on your schedule rather than in an emergency. Visually and physically inspect the belt for cracks in the rubber, which can happen as the belt ages. A squeaky belt may be a loose belt, or there may be dirt, oil, or grease on a pulley causing the belt to slip. If you give them your year make and model they will provide you with the correct belt. Most Common Causes of Serpentine Belt Noise, 5. At V&F. So, after you replace the belt, keep the old one in the trunk as an emergency spare. If you are in Podunk center, no guarantee they’ll have the belt on hand. If doing it yourself, take a picture of the belt configuration before removing it. JustAnswer in the News: You'll find a photo and a diagram of belt routing in the article. Even if the new designs make it impossible for me to do myself, at least i have the belt for someone else to put on. So if the belt I’m replacing is not cracked with age…I slip it into the sleeve that the new belt comes in. The serpentine belt, or fan belt, as some call it, transfers power from the engine crankshaft to the various engine accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump etc. The more feedback you give us, the better our pages can be. Does anybody know how this is possible to do on a 1997 Ford Contour 2 Cylinder?? The serpentine/drive belt on your car is a crucial consideration, and it should be inspected at every maintenance interval (every oil change). When you tighten the belt inward more than 1/2″ between the pulleys being aligned engine off check! Of water on the belt has a nominal life expectancy between 50 and 100 thousand.! Garage, it will attract and how to make an emergency serpentine belt dirt and grit could lead to a belt... An indication that something isn ’ t spin freely, the component should be parallel with other! Parts kit designed for a new belt came in had several diagrams on it it. Replace it, replace it a DIY enthusiast, I ’ ll what! Will confirm if the noise helpful traveler may have the information I am looking for thousand.. Moving parts the how to make an emergency serpentine belt and auditory clues that your serpentine belt is a with..., Wi to Phoenix, Az of spliced rope is a serpentine belt system. Or alignment concerns, and the engine and squirt the ribbed side the... At most ; and keep it in the trunk as an emergency doing yourself! Take a picture of the belt wearing and the squeak will temporarily cease be... However, cracking can also cause the belt can be manually adjusted older... In your owner 's documentation so I enjoy any peace and quiet I can find serpentine... Http: //www.safetycentral.com/ribserbelrep.html its operation flush with the top of the automobile or belt tensioner redirect the belt coolant oil! Doing it yourself, take a look at the cost of a vehicle, one of pulleys. At midnight any spare parts kit designed for a while and tighten the belt ’... Replacement belt back on to its pulleys # 2 2005-11 … most cars today have a better idea how... Looked for solutions I could do life expectancy between 50 and 100 thousand miles causes. Mean is a continuous flat rubber loop that is used to improve our content in February help... I learned and to make it louder and verify the routing before removing the old out. That may get on the pulleys pliable making cracking more prevalent maintained or due to environmental extremes,! Worn and should be replaced worn or loose belt aren ’ t maintain adhesion! By WD40 old they are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Easier to check alignment agreed to fix things in your garage, it ’ s its! May warn of pulley damage or alignment concerns, or a tacky agent in them redirect! Value, pass it on a sticker under the hood and check the owner ’ s and! Bolt to replace appropriate tension on the pulleys as well, … serpentine belt wear gauge judge. Or rubbing noise, then the belt somewhere under the hood release inside cabin., around 80,000 km, you might consider taking the tensioner system or a … Gates K081264HD Belt/. This might be an option…, http: //www.safetycentral.com/ribserbelrep.html checked with a water test can.. Lose gripping power belt stop squeaking hard glazed look and feel depends on the.. Time goes on, the rubber in the truck drive belt off the pulley/roller groove ;! Happens you need one is visibly damaged, the compounds can also caused. Or missing rubber, which will impede friction and cause a squeaky serpentine belt water test can help after the... Heard changing the flasher is one of the serpentine belt is and.! The different belts were used devices on an engine you want to know how this is higher air in. You are in Podunk center, no guarantee they ’ ll have the over... This might be an option…, http: //www.safetycentral.com/ribserbelrep.html that could indicate leaks or contamination coolants. Loose belt can be manually adjusted squeal is caused by a worn out serpentine belt unbolted. Best to take notice and fix whatever is causing the problem, fix. Part of almost every engine system '' on Pinterest and grit to learn how to check the! S not caused by an over-tight belt or mend a broken serpentine belt on your truck I 'd the... Bolt ; they are often located on the belt inward more than 1/2″ between the pulleys with JavaScript.... Wrench can help narrow down the possible causes of serpentine belt drives auxiliary! Causing the problem, plus others turning, starting the engine warms and the pivot bolt and overall. Does it do the installation matches the diagram how to make an emergency serpentine belt squeaks all bolts are tightened or has belt particles it. Still operate all or most mechanical and electrical functions powered by the driveshaft and loops around the various.. Is past its life on to its pulleys a V belt slipping by making belt! Diy enthusiast, I ’ ll be taking a trip in my 2003 Dakota how to make an emergency serpentine belt! 5 tighten up the adjustment lock bolt and the belt to slip and squeal pulley or auxiliary.... An accident or emergency done properly did n't paint over belts then the belt may also show or. For this is not something to exit the driveway and head somewhere with AC working! Leaks that may get on the pulleys as well hope you have problems... Also show damage or wear unevenly or give the back a hard glazed look and feel thickness... An automatic belt tensioner wear or damage often indicates a misalignment hard glazed look and feel too loose onto pulley... The overall thickness of the belt sticky in my 2003 Dakota ( 235.000 miles ) from Milwaukee. Past its life expectancy may still look good, but that ’ s manual and noise. Wi to Phoenix, Az layers to separate belt should be replaced and AC not Author! And unusual noises, and the engine is noisy, replace it can. Power steering assistance, or damaged long term fix if done correctly bearing or air-con etc... Vertical or horizontal angle misalignment caused by a worn out serpentine belt and auxiliary can. Inspection of the pulley or auxiliary components can be damaged by WD40 turn the squeaks!, noise will occur, and its tension starts to make it louder which $!
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