Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

Posts Tagged: serpentine belt

What causes a serpentine belt break or one that keeps breaking?

Learn the most common causes of a serpentine belt break or one that keeps breaking If you’ve had a serpentine belt break and it’s not due to normal wear and tear, here are the most common causes. A Worn Belt Tensioner can cause a serpentine belt to keep breaking The belt tensioner is designed to keep the proper tension on the belt while also dampening the power pulses produced by the engine. As a tensioner wears out, it loses its ability to dampen the power pulses, causing the belt to … Read More

Timing Belt versus a Serpentine belt — What’s the difference

Timing belt versus a Serpentine Belt — Different Belts for Different Jobs People often confuse a timing belt versus a serpentine belt. They’re both belts. They both get their rotational force from the crankshaft and use that force to drive other components. But that’s where the similarities end. A serpentine belt’s primary purpose is to rotate driven components like the alternator, AC compressor, Power steering pump, etc. Those driven components don’t have to be driven in time with the crankshaft. If a serpentine belt slips, there’s no harm, no foul. … Read More

Serpentine Belt noise

Serpentine belt noise squeal or chirp Belt squeal and belt chirp are caused by three things Three common causes of belt squeal and belt chirp 1) Improper tension due to a worn automatic tensioner or misadjustment of a manual tensioner 2) The belt is worn or an idler or rotating component is binding 3)  Driven component(s) are out of alignment Belt dressing and lubricating sprays will never fix a belt noise, squeal or chirp NOTE: Never spray a drive belt with belt dressing, WD-40 or any lubricant to quiet belt … Read More

Diagnose a belt tensioner

Diagnose a belt tensioner A worn automatic serpentine belt tensioner can cause belt squeal, misalignment, belt chirp, and alternator bearing damage. Automatic tensioners tend to wear out at around 100K miles. If you have a belt noise or vibration and you’ve changed the belt, it’s time to test your belt tensioner. It’s easy. Just follow the procedures below. First, understand the belt tensioner’s TWO jobs Belt tensioner job #1: Maintain proper belt tension The belt tensioner’s first job is to maintain the proper tension on the serpentine belt. That’s easy … Read More

Discover What Belt Dressing Does (and Does Not Do)

Belt dressing does stop belt noise temporarily, but no, it doesn’t fix the problem Belt noise; squeal, chirp or whine are caused by one of four things and belt dressing can’t fix any of them. Spraying it on your belts may give you a temporary reprieve from the noise, but it doesn’t fix the root problem of: • Improper belt tension (too loose) • Worn out or glazed belt due to slipping • A binding/sticking idler or rotating component • A component that’s out of alignment. What’s in it? Belt … Read More


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