- Open the hood and locate the adjustment screw that controls tension on the serpentine belt. …
- Place the socket end of the socket wrench over the wing-nut and turn clockwise to apply tension. …
- Check the tension of the belt periodically. …
- Do a secondary check of the belt tension.
How do you adjust the tension on a accessory belt?
The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should
not deflect more than 1⁄2 inch when twisted either way from the middle
. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight.
How do you tighten an auxiliary belt?
Insert the
pry bar
above the alternator pulley. Apply gentle pressure upwards so that it adds tension to the drive belt. Once the drive belt is moved into its desired tension, tighten the adjustment bolt to lock the belt in place. Then, torque the adjustment bolt to the manufacturer's specifications.
How tight should accessory belts be?
The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should
not deflect more than 1⁄2 inch when twisted either way from the middle
. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight.
How do I fix my accessory belt?
But what does a serpentine belt replacement cost? Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs around
$70-$200
(plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.
How do you know if your drive belt is loose?
If there is not enough tension, a belt can slip, squeal or run hot. … Quick fact: If your serpentine belt is loose, you
may have other mechanical problems like under-performing water pump
, which can cause the engine to overheat. Avoid performance loss. Bring your ride in as soon as possible.
Can you over tighten an alternator belt?
Dear Anthony:
A belt should never be over-tightened
. … An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.
How much does it cost to tighten a V belt?
The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is
between $211 and $239
. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.
Why does my belt squeal when AC is on?
A loud squeal is produced
when the A/C is turned on
. This symptom is usually caused by a loose or worn air conditioning compressor belt. When the A/C is activated the compressor is engaged. … If the belt is loose or worn the belt can slip on the compressor pulley and emit a loud squeal.
Do serpentine belts stretch over time?
Serpentine belts
stretch with age and use
; as time goes on, the rubber becomes dryer and less pliable making cracking more prevalent. However, cracking can also be caused by a defective tensioner. … If a belt starts slipping, the tensioner should always be checked to see if it is functioning properly.
Why do V belts fail?
Missing cogs can cause belts to slip and fail, when it
is discovered there are teeth missing
, the belt should be changed immediately. The most common reasons your belt could be missing a cog are excessive heat, the pulleys are too small or misaligned. It can also be caused by improper or prolonged storage of belts.
Is a timing belt the same as a drive belt?
The timing belt is responsible for making sure the engine's crankshaft, pistons, and valves operating insync or in time. … The drive belt is responsible for using the engine's revolutions to drive the power steering pump, a/c compressor, alternator, water pump, and other belt driven accessories.
How do I know if my belt is worn out?
- Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt. …
- Power steering and AC not working. …
- Engine overheating. …
- Cracks and wear on the belt.
What happens when belt is loose?
If there is not enough tension, a belt can slip, squeal or run hot. Worst-case scenario: a loose belt may come off of its pulleys. When this happens,
all the accessories powered by the engine go kaput and the vehicle will stop running
.
What happens if belt is too loose?
When a belt sits loose on a pulley,
the belt can slip while in motion and cause extra friction
. The additional friction can result in a buildup of heat on the belt and the pulley. The excess heat can cause premature damage to your belts.
How far can I drive with a loose belt?
Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of
60,000 to 100,000 miles
. This is all because many cars have one serpentine belt that drives the water pump, the power steering pump, the alternator and the air conditioning compressor, and the fan.
