Table of Contents
Is it hard to put a serpentine belt back on?
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.
What belt is connected to the alternator?
The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and—in some cases—your water pump running smoothly and effectively.
How do you remove an alternator belt?
How to Loosen an Alternator Belt Open and secure your car’s hood. Locate the alternator. Look for the three bolts that secure the alternator. Loosen the front and rear bolts attached to the alternator and engine using a suitably sized wrench. Loosen the bolt attached to the adjustable bracket. Remove the wrenches.
Why does my alternator belt squeal?
Your engine belts make a screech or squeal noise usually because the rubber belt is slipping on the metal pulley and just like your tires spinning on the road, this causes noise. The belt may be slipping due to improper tension or because it simply has gotten old and the surface has become glazed, cracked or brittle.
Where is the tensioner pulley located?
The tensioner pulley is on the end of a spring-loaded tensioner. The accessory drive belt rides on the pulley while the spring-loaded portion of the assembly puts tension on the accessory drive belt to keep it tight enough so that it doesn’t slip on the rest of the pulleys.
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.
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.
Is the alternator belt and serpentine belt the same thing?
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.
Can you drive without serpentine belt?
Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. Without the serpentine belt, the power steering pump, which provides hydraulic pressure, no longer functions.
What happens when alternator belt breaks?
The Alternator Stops Powering Electrics If the serpentine belt breaks, the alternator stops generating electrical power. If that happens, your headlights will dim, the radio won’t work, and the battery will die. The battery warning light will also turn on because your battery isn’t being charged.
Can you change an alternator belt yourself?
Regardless of which design your vehicle uses, you will likely have to replace the belt that powers your alternator at some point in the lifetime of your vehicle. You can replace these belts yourself using common hand tools.
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 do I stop my alternator from squeaking?
How to Fix a Squeaky Alternator Bearing Kill the Engine. The first thing you should after you check for potential alternator issues is to turn off your car engine, and then check the state of the bearings. Lose the Belt. Once you switch off the engine, raise the hood. Inspect the Bearings. Resolve the Issue.
How tight should my alternator belt be?
Pass your alternator belt around the pulleys on the front of the engine block and the alternator itself. Pull the alternator away from the engine until the belt is tight. You want to be able to press down on the belt at a mid point between two pulleys and only be able to move it downward about 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
What is an alternator tensioner?
A tensioner maintains the correct amount of tension on the belt at all times throughout its duty cycle. It also helps protect other components such as the alternator and water pump from undue stress and premature failure. In addition, a tensioner is a relatively inexpensive part to replace.
Can you change the pulley on a belt tensioner?
Automatic belt tensioners that are easily accessible may not be required to remove from the engine if you’re just replacing the pulley. Once the belt is removed from the pulley, you can remove the pulley bolt and washer and then remove the pulley to replace the new one.
Which way do you turn a belt tensioner?
Rotate the pulley on the belt tensioner counterclockwise to relieve the tension of the belt with the proper sized socket and ratchet. Slide the belt off of the belt tensioner pulley. Let the belt hang down.
