If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.
Tighten the bolts again as you apply tension. Be careful not to pry against anything plastic in your engine bay to avoid breaking anything. Duston Maynes Automotive Repair Specialist. Duston Maynes. 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. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1. The belt can get caught in the crank, obstructing the system and damaging the motor. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. 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. 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. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0. Yes, there are two major things you need to check when installing a serpentine belt.
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. 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.
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Related wikiHows How to. How to. Automotive Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. More References 6. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: 7. Updated: September 15, Categories: Transmission Parts. Article Summary X To replace a serpentine belt, start by locating the old belt at the front or side of your engine bay. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87, times.
Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Quincy Tha Billionaire Jun 30, While many people regularly take their vehicles in for routine maintenance, one part of the engine is often misunderstood and overlooked.. In fact, most people don't think about it until it is too late, which can leave you stranded. While you may not perform your own engine maintenance, it is still important to understand how the more critical components work and how to recognize a problem before you find yourself waiting for a tow truck.
The serpentine belt "snakes" around several components of the engine, transferring mechanical power to nearly every critical part. Under normal conditions, the belt needs to be replaced every 4 to 6 years.
However, those living in areas where the temperature and humidity can vary greatly throughout the year may need to change it more frequently. 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. The serpentine belt is what keeps the engine accessories running smoothly and efficiently.
It connects the engine crankshaft on the outside of the engine to all of the engine accessories. You can easily tell the difference between the two when you look at the grooves. A serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt. Your serpentine belt was made to last. Not sure when your serpentine belt was last replaced?
A serpentine belt is designed to last a long time. But eventually, the heat and friction will wear it down and it will need to be replaced.
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