In many applications, the serpentine belt needs only to be reasonably tight. ... The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
How tight should AC belt?
In many applications, the serpentine belt needs only to be reasonably tight. ... The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
Can you over tighten AC 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 can I tell if my belt is too tight?
Hold the belt between finger and thumb at this point and move it from side to side. See how much it deflects at the centre of the run. If it moves more than 1/2 in. (13 mm) it is too slack – any less movement and it is too tight.
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.
How much does it cost to tighten serpentine belt?
More good news: serpentine belts are inexpensive compared to other car parts and components. A professional mechanic will normally charge between $75 and $120 in labor to remove the old belt and replace it with a new one.
What is proper belt tension?
The proper tension is the lowest tension at which the belt won’t slip or squeal under peak load . However, there is still a wide range of tension between these two extremes in which a drive will operate sufficiently.
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.
Can serpentine belt cause rough idle?
Vehicle performance issues can also indicate a problem with your vehicle’s serpentine belt because bad serpentine belt causes loss of power. ... So if you have searched for answers to the question, can a bad serpentine belt cause rough idle? The answer is yes .
Can I put WD 40 on a squeaky belt?
Spray just enough WD-40 onto the belt to lightly cover the area where the squeal occurs . ... Oversaturating the belt will result in severe slipping, which can permanently damage the belt. WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs.
How do I stop my AC belt from squealing?
WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs. In most cases, removing the moisture will stop the squeal. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes, then spray rubber dressing , also known as belt dressing, onto the belt in the same manner employed above.
How do I stop my AC belt from squeaking?
That’s right, ordinary bar soap can usually stop the squealing when rubbed on a fan belt. Just a few rubs on the belt with bar soap can solve the bar squealing problem for quite some time and save money in the process.
How do you check belt tension by hand?
Belt tension is measured by plucking the belt span while holding a sensor close by . Belt tension is adjusted until the belt span frequency, or measured tension level is within manufacturer’s recommendations.
How do I know if my serpentine belt is loose?
The symptoms of a loose serpentine belt include a loud squealing noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side. A serpentine belt that keeps slipping off the pulley is another symptom of a bad tensioner.
Can a tight serpentine belt cause loss of power?
If the belts are too tight, they can put a strain on the shaft (and its bearing) of the alternator, power-steering pump and even the water pump.
What can happen if the belt tension in a belt drive system is adjusted to be too tight?
If a belt is too tight in a system, it can add stress to your bearings . The added stress to bearings can result into over amperage of your motor and potential motor failure. When a belt is too loose: When a belt sits loose on a pulley, the belt can slip while in motion and cause extra friction.
