Your automotive engine powers a number of equipment beneath the hood, such because the alternator, energy steering pump and air-conditioning compressor. In older automobiles, every accent drew energy from its personal V-belt. Serpentine belts started changing V-belts all through the Eighties. Based on Popular Mechanics, serpentine belts take up much less house in front of the engine, last for much longer, always preserve pressure with out adjustment and are simpler to vary. Nonetheless, serpentine belts do require occasional alternative.
Remove the Old Serpentine Belt Instructions
Visually examine the outdated serpentine belt. Search for cracks, harm to the ribs on the grooved facet of the belt and uncovered and fraying cords. Use the mirror and flashlight if essential to see the grooved aspect of the belt. Discover the belt-routing diagram. A diagram exhibiting how the belt winds across the pulleys needs to be situated in your proprietor’s guide and/or on a decal positioned someplace beneath the hood.
In the event you can’t find a belt-routing diagram, sketch out a diagram earlier than remove the outdated belt. Insert the drive finish of the three/eight-inch ratchet within the sq. gap on the pulley aspect of the tensioner arm. Use the ratchet to use leverage towards the load of the tensioner arm. Doing so takes pressure off the serpentine belt. Preserve leverage on the tensioner arm whereas slipping the belt off of the loafer pulley, if geared up, or the tensioner-arm pulley. Slip the serpentine belt off of the remaining pulleys. Clear the belt across the fan blades and take away the belt from the engine.
Visually examine for indicators of pulley harm. A bent or broken pulley, together with one on the loafer arm or tensioner, causes particular put on patterns on the previous belt. Search for heavy put on alongside the belt edge, sporting of the belt ribs to small strips of rubber and frayed wire that appears prefer it has been snagged. For those who discover put on patterns on the outdated belt, totally examine all belt pulleys for harm. Restore or exchange any broken pulleys.
Utilizing a straightedge, examine the alignment of every pulley. Lay the straightedge flat in opposition to the hub of the pulley and ensure the straightedge lies flush with the hubs of all adjoining pulleys. In the event you discover a misaligned pulley, test the accent’s mounting bracket to see whether it is bent or broken. Alter or change the mounting bracket the place attainable. Any additional misalignment could require servicing by a licensed auto mechanic.
Examine the used belt and all pulleys for oil. In the event you discover any oil residue, tackle any oil leaks across the engine which may be the trigger. Clear the grooves within the grooved pulleys. Use a wire brush and a few brake cleaner. Examine for extra play within the tensioner and loafer pulleys. Extra play within the pulleys generally is a signal of a worn bearing. Replace the pulleys if essential. Examine the tensioner for spring power. The tensioner must be very troublesome to maneuver with out the ratchet. Replace the tensioner if obligatory.
Install the New Serpentine Belt Instructions
Install the brand new serpentine belt on the crankshaft pulley and the entire accent pulleys. Observe the belt-routing diagram or a sketch you could have drawn. Use the ratchet to use leverage in opposition to the load of the tensioner arm. Preserve leverage on the tensioner arm whereas slipping the belt onto the tensioner arm pulley, adopted by the loafer pulley, if outfitted.
Visually examine the belt system to make sure the serpentine belt winds correctly round all the pulleys. Pay explicit consideration to the grooved pulleys, ensuring the belt seats correctly within the pulley grooves. Begin the engine and permit it to idle for a pair minutes.
Visually examine the tensioner arm. Most tensioners have a hash mark forged into the spring housing that may line up with a spot on the tensioner arm when the belt is put in. This allows you to visually gauge the strain on the belt. If the hash mark falls exterior of the hole, you might have the incorrect measurement belt. Shut down the engine and change the belt with the proper dimension.
Examine the tensioner arm and belt for extra vibration or belt “bouncing,” which generally is a signal of a broken or misaligned pulley or particles within the grooves of a grooved pulley.
[source ehow.com]