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Fan belt replacement: Check the tensioner first. Check for excessive movement. Check the pulley/roller. Rotate the tensioner and slide the drive belt off the pulley/roller. Measure wear with an app. The right tools make it a do-it-yourself project. Remove the belt with a serpentine belt tool. Place the new belt.
What tools do you need to put on a serpentine belt?
Tools/Supplies Needed: ratchet and socket set. torque wrench. new replacement belt. new tensioner. new pulley. wrench set. jack and axle stands or ramps.
How long does it take to put a serpentine belt on?
It can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour (two at the most) to repair or replace a bad serpentine belt with a new belt.
Does it matter which way you put on a serpentine belt?
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.
Can I replace a serpentine belt myself?
Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.
Is idler pulley same as tensioner?
The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. However, if bearings fail, tensioner and idler pulleys both require replacement.
Can you put a serpentine belt on without tools?
The serpentine belt in most modern vehicles transfers power from the crank pulley to the various accessories mounted on the engine. If your serpentine belt needs to be replaced, it can be done using only common hand tools.
How far can I drive without a serpentine belt?
There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
Do you need a torque wrench for serpentine belt?
You need a digital ft-lb torque wrench.
How expensive is it to replace a serpentine belt?
A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around $100 to $195 to replace your serpentine belt.
What happens if you put a serpentine belt on wrong?
In some instances it may be possible to install a serpentine belt the wrong way. If this happens, one or more pulleys will rotate in the WRONG direction, affecting the operation of the alternator, water pump, A/C compressor or power steering pump. This can cause major problems.
Can you drive without a fan belt?
If you’re wondering whether or not you can drive your car without a serpentine belt, the answer is no. There are many dangers to driving without a serpentine belt. A car can only take out so much slack from other components before they fail and stop working altogether.
Which side of the belt goes on the pulley?
The smooth side of the belt goes on smooth pulleys (as shown on the idler pulley pictured above), while the ribbed side wraps around the grooved pulleys.
What side of belt goes against pulley?
Following your routing diagram, install the new belt. Make sure the grooved side of the new belt is placed against the grooved side of the pulleys. (Your car may or may not have grooved pulleys.) Tighten the belt by compressing the tensioner.
What happens if you put a timing belt on backwards?
If you put the belt back on in the opposite direction, the ribs end up in different pulley grooves than the ones they’ve adapted to over time. This means that the belt has to re-adjust to a new abrasion pattern, which will lead to a dangerous loss of belt tension.
Is fan belt same as serpentine belt?
Sometimes called a fan belt, alternator belt, or accessory drive belt, the serpentine belt is spun by the engine crankshaft and, in turn, spins, or “drives”, the accessories. The belt should be changed as part of your routine preventative maintenance schedule to avoid failure or breakage while driving.
Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing belt?
Timing Belt. Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons so the engine runs smoothly.
Can I drive my car if the serpentine belt is broken?
Can I Continue Driving My Car If the Serpentine Belt Is Broken? Technically, yes, you can continue driving your car, but not for long. For instance, without power steering, you’re likely to get exhausted very quickly from driving.
Is a tensioner pulley supposed to move?
Appearance: Cycle the tensioner (mounted on the engine) through the entire range of motion (from stop to stop) by applying torque to the arm with a wrench. The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.
Should I replace idler pulley and tensioner?
If there is any wobble, squeak, or undue friction, the idler pulley should be replaced. The best way to maximize the idler pulley’s lifespan is to maintain proper tension on the serpentine belt and replace belts with new ones whenever required.
What is a tensioner pulley?
A drive belt tensioner is a pulley mounted on a spring mechanism or adjustable pivot point that is used to keep tension on the engine belts. When the tensioner has an issue, it can affect the how the belts drive the pulleys which can affect the performance and functionality of the vehicle.
Where is the belt tensioner located?
The belt tensioner is on the front of the engine, between the crankshaft and alternator pulleys.
