FAQs
Where can I find a belt routing diagram for my engine? A: Commonly a belt routing diagram sticker is on the underside of the hood or in the engine compartment. If there is no diagram, make a sketch of the belt and pulleys before removing the belt. This will help you re-route the new belt correctly.
How do I know if my serpentine belt is misaligned? ›
If the belt is wobbling back and forth or the pulley is not spinning straight and wobbling, the pulley may be misaligned, which can cause the belt to squeal. Also, check if the belt is running in the center of the pulley and is not running off to the side.
Is it easy to replace a serpentine belt yourself? ›
If you do notice your belt needs replacing, you can do it yourself if you're mechanically minded and have the time. It'll take about 1 or 2 hours, but they're relatively inexpensive and straightforward to repair.
How do you tension a serpentine belt? ›
Place the gauge on the belt in the middle of the longest span between two pulleys. Then, apply pressure to the belt tension gauge by rotating the gauge handle or using a wrench to turn the gauge bolt. Keep applying pressure until the gauge indicates the proper amount of tension.
How are serpentine belts numbered? ›
As an example, “8PK2515” is the PK number found on an OEM serpentine belt. The first digit indicates an eight-rib belt, followed by “P” to identify metric belt sizing, and a “K” showing that this belt conforms to the SAE standard for rib sizing (3.56 millimeters wide for automotive-type serpentine belts).
Are serpentine belts directional? ›
Are Serpentine Belts Directional? Because nearly all serpentine belts are symmetrical, a new belt's direction of rotation usually doesn't matter. What does matter, though, is that the new belt is routed correctly around the pulleys. It's also important that the grooved side of the belt faces toward the pulley grooves.
What noise will a belt make if the pulley is misaligned? ›
Realigning and resetting the tension again can solve the problem. Unexpected noise: A squealing noise often indicates slippage between the belts and the pulleys.
What are the symptoms of a bad idler pulley? ›
The idler pulley is a component that supports the movement of your vehicle's drive belt. Common symptoms of a malfunctioning idler pulley include corrosion on the pulley's surface, chattering and squealing noises, and slow spinning. Recommended idler pulley brands include Replacement, Gates, and Dayco.
What happens if serpentine belt is put on wrong? ›
Misalignment pulleys or tensioner: If the belt is not properly aligned on the pulleys, it can wear unevenly or slip off entirely, leading to its premature failure. This situation usually happens if some of the components have been previously removed, replaced, and not returned in to place properly.
Do you need to replace the tensioner when replacing a serpentine belt? ›
You can replace only the pulley, or you can buy a new tensioner with a new pulley attached, or you can buy a kit with a new belt, tensioner/pulley, and idler pulley if there is one, and do it all.
Depending on your vehicle, and the other service you may or may not be having done at the time, the whole process of replacing the serpentine belt should take no more than two hours.
What are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt? ›
Bad serpentine belt symptoms
- Squeaking, squealing or chirping sound from under the hood of the car.
- Check engine light or battery light is illuminated on your dashboard.
- A/C isn't working.
- Power steering isn't working.
- The engine's temperature is high or overheating.
- Smell of burnt rubber.
How do I know if my belt tensioner is bad? ›
Six Signs a Belt Tensioner Needs to be Replaced
- Tensioner Noise. Listen closely to the tensioner when the engine is running. ...
- Improper Serpentine Belt Tracking. ...
- Tension Loss. ...
- Sticking or Notchy Movement. ...
- Metal-to-Metal Contact. ...
- Broken or Cracked Tensioner “Stops”
Where is the routing information to install a new drive belt? ›
If the belt is already out of place, locate the driver's manual or the under-the-hood placard, where you'll find a sketch of the routing.
How do I know what tensioner pulley I have? ›
The tensioner pulley is responsible for keeping the belt tense while making sure it stays aligned the entire time you're driving. While the location of the tensioner pulley can vary depending on the vehicle, you can usually find it at the end of the tensioner, which is typically connected to the accessory drive belt.
How do you check belt tension and pulley alignment? ›
To check the alignment of the belt, place a straight edge or laser alignment tool across the face of the pulleys, making sure it touches both pulleys. Then, move the straight edge or laser to the side of the belt and check for any gaps between the belt and the straight edge or laser.