Q&A for How to Replace a Serpentine Belt

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How do I know if I need to replace my serpentine belt?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Although serpentine belts last quite a bit, it's important to check on them every once in a while. To see if there's any problem, check if the outer side of the belt is looking glassy and if the inside of the belt is cracking. These are both good indicators that the serpentine belt needs to be replaced.

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Question

What happens if the serpentine belt breaks?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

The belt can get caught in the crank, obstructing the system and damaging the motor.

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Question

How do I replace the crank shaft pulley?

Community Answer

It's impossible to say without knowing the year, make, or model of your vehicle. You should be able to do a search online to find some tips on replacing parts for your specific vehicle.

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Question

Why does the serpentine jump and come off the pulley?

Npytlowany

Community Answer

it is possible that the tensioner or there is a pulley is out of alignment on the serpentine belt system. With the serpentine belt off, you need to grab each individual pulley and wiggle them and rotate them. If you hear one or two with excessive noise than you need to replace them. Another thing to check is the tensioner to see if its providing optimal tension. a good way to check this is with a ratchet in the tensioner and pull and release it to see if there is still good spring force.

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Question

Is there a wrong way to put belt on?

Theechinda

Community Answer

Yes, there are two major things you need to check when installing a serpentine belt. 1: Make sure the belt is routed around the pulleys correctly. The belt may fit on the engine even if it is "snaked" along the wrong path. The easiest way to check this is to pay attention to the routing before you take the old belt off, or, check the repair manual for your car. 2: If you have a "V Belt" or a V-shaped belt, the flat side of the belt needs to face away from the pulleys, and the v side of the belt needs to sit inside the grove on the pulley. If you have a "ribbed belt", the smooth side must only be in contact with the smooth pulleys, and the ribs must be in contact with the ribbed pulleys.

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