The tensioner automatically adjusts. You should remove the belt and spin each pulley individually to check for any signs of seizing. It’s frequently the tensioner pulley. If your tensioner is still functional, all you need to do is swap out the pulley.
In This Article...
What noise does an alternator belt that is loose make?
You’ve probably heard that when an older automobile is started cold, it makes a noise with a fairly high pitch that gradually goes away as the engine warms up.
This is primarily caused by a loose alternator belt, which, when it is cold, becomes more slick and wet and makes a loud noise when it slips on the alternator.
It’s time to examine the alternator belt if the car makes a high-pitched noise for a few seconds after starting. Additionally, if the belt is constantly loose, you might hear a loud noise that never stops.
Heavy or Jiggery Steering
As I previously mentioned, the alternator and other components, including the power steering pump, are powered by the alternator or serpentine belt. Although most cars utilize the same belt, some automobile types have different belts for the power steering pump and the alternator.
As a result, you will notice a jitter or consistently heavy steering when the power steering pump is malfunctioning in conjunction with the alternator belt.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
The car battery will receive a charge from the alternator of approximately 14.5 volts. The car battery typically has between 12 and 12.5 volts when it is not in use. The voltage will also fluctuate when the alternator is not operating correctly as a result of a slipping or loose alternator belt.
Most often, you may spot these voltage changes by glancing at the headlights or other electronic parts. You can observe changes in the brightness or darkness of the light, as well as, in some circumstances, a pulsing light.
Sudden Stall
It is possible for an alternator belt to get so bad over a long period of running that the electronic components will consume more power than the alternator can supply.
When the automobile battery is entirely discharged, this will cause the vehicle to completely stall, leaving you stranded after the road because there is no way that you can start it again.
When a belt is too loose, what happens?
V-belts play a crucial role in power transmission systems. They make it possible for energy to be moved between different sources. While belts require little maintenance, incorrect belt tension can have a significant negative influence on them. Improper belt tension is a major cause of problems in your belt drive systems, as was covered in our blog post on Common Belt Problems.
A v-belt that is too tight
Your bearings may experience additional stress if a belt is overly tight in a system. The additional strain on the bearings can cause your motor to draw too much current and even fail.
If a belt is excessively baggy
When a belt is loosely mounted on a pulley, it may slip while being used, increasing friction. The added friction may cause the belt and pulley to become overheated. Your belts may become prematurely damaged due to the excessive heat.
A few signs of insufficient tensioning include:
- breaking off pieces
- excessive motor amperage
- squeaking when starting up
- look of hardness
- early wear and tear of pulleys
- Our front motor bearing is worn out.
- a belt’s buckle breaking
We advise testing the tension of your v-belts if you experience any of these problems while checking your drive symptoms or if you’re replacing a worn-out v-belt. To check your tensioning, adhere to the steps below:
- Using the Optikrik, keep pressing down until you hear a click.
- Following the click, you may now read the belt tension by glancing at the scale’s crosspoint.
- Next, use the calculation provided below by Optibelt to compare the measured tension to the ideal tension for the belt.
- Once your belt is fastened, use your Optikrik tension gauge by sliding your finger under the rubber strap.
- The next step is to position the Optikrik in the middle of the belt, lay it flat and parallel to the edge, and then slowly and firmly press down on the belt.
If the strain is appropriate, you can move forward. If the tension is incorrect, make the necessary modifications and keep checking the tension to guarantee the dependability and uptime of your belt drive system.
What occurs if an alternator belt snaps while you’re driving?
A automobile must be towed if its serpentine belt breaks, rendering it undriveable. Without a serpentine belt, the engine may overheat because the water pump won’t function. Other components can be harmed by a damaged belt.
Is driving possible without an alternator belt?
The short answer is no, you cannot operate your vehicle without a serpentine belt. Driving without a serpentine belt is quite dangerous. A automobile can only absorb so much wear and tear from other parts before they stop functioning entirely. Your car’s serpentine belt is an essential part, and if it breaks, you’re in serious trouble. Without this component, there won’t be enough coolant flow to keep the engine temperature stable, which is bad because the motor could overheat if there’s no fluid flowing through it. An overheating car may develop more significant issues, such as broken blocks or twisted pistons, if it is not attended to right away.
What makes a belt snag and fall off?
Serpentine belt wear is typically caused by a bad tensioner or misalignment. Even while it may be challenging to identify an issue solely by listening, looking at the belt directly can assist you do so, both before and after it has been taken off.
Excessive Cracking
Typically, aging is the root cause of excessive cracking. Serpentine belts sag with time and use; when the rubber dries out and loses flexibility, breaking becomes more common. However, a faulty tensioner might also result in cracking. To maintain the belt firmly fastened to the pulleys, the tensioner is spring-loaded. The tensioner should always be examined to determine whether it is working properly if a belt begins to slip.
Glazing
The belt slippage results in glazing on the belt’s ridges, grooves, and edges. Belt tension loss (or a weak automated tensioner) or pulley misalignment can both cause slipping. The belt overheats as a result of the friction created when it deviates from the track between the auxiliary drive pulleys and the belt. It’s usually time for a switch if you hear a high pitched screaming sound.
Fraying
A belt that is fraying at the edge usually has the pulleys out of alignment. When the belt is not installed properly on the pulleys, the belt eventually frays when it feeds into the top edge of an accessory drive pulley side. This is quite simple to diagnose because the belt’s edge wear is typically evident. The belt rubbing against the pulleys may cause a pounding or rubbing sounds to be heard.
Product Info
The noise can be annoying if your power steering belt begins to slip or your alternator belt begins to squeak. Squeaky belts are no problem at all with this carefully designed spray from the WD-40 Company. With the engine running, simply mist some WD-40 Specialist Automotive Belt Dressing. It enters the fibers of the cord to reestablish elasticity and pliability. How would you employ it?
- For several minutes, let the belt run to condition and cure the dressing.
- Reapply if necessary.
- tube extension, attach.
- Well-shake the can.
- Spray sparingly near the smallest or highest pulley on the inner working surface of the belt while the engine is running.
On pulleys, it shouldn’t be sprayed. WD-40 Specialist Automotive Belt Dressing is designed to improve grip and traction for all types of belts while extending the life of the belt. It restores the pliability and elasticity of the belts, which stops squeaking and slippage. In addition, it prolongs belt life. Your belts should be replaced, though, if they are cracked or frayed. The WD-40 Specialist Automotive line includes: A line of auto maintenance products called WD-40 Specialist Automotive was created especially to enhance and maintain the performance of your vehicles all year long. This high-quality package of cleansers and lubricants is made to optimize the performance of your vehicle through appropriate and consistent maintenance. Simply incorporate them into your routine for maintenance; it’s simple and efficient for all levels of auto maintenance expertise.
Driving while wearing a screaming belt is it safe?
Because of this, it is advised that the serpentine belt be replaced as soon as the first signs of screaming are identified. For a few days or weeks, it might be okay to continue driving despite the belt screeching, but ultimately it will need to be replaced, and the sooner it is fixed for safety, the better.
How can I tell if the alternator belt is worn out?
Your car’s performance can suffer if your serpentine belt is failing. The car could overheat regularly. You can experience problems with your power steering or air conditioning. If the alternator is being hampered by a defective serpentine belt, you might find that your car’s battery isn’t recharging.
Additional indications of a serpentine belt issue include:
- lowered headlights
- a permanently on-going amperage light
- failure to launch
- Starting up with flickering lights
If your serpentine belt isn’t working properly, your car may regularly stall down while you’re driving. If the belt snaps while you are moving, the battery will eventually die, and the belt may do additional damage as it flops around under the hood.
How much does replacing an alternator belt cost?
But how much does it cost to repair a serpentine belt? A replacement serpentine belt typically costs between $70-$200 (plus taxes and fees), which includes roughly $50 for the belt and around $150 for labor. Of course, this varies on your vehicle’s make and model as well as labor rates.
How tightly should an alternator belt be wound?
1. Use your thumb to push the top of the belt in the midst of its longest run between the wheels while the engine is cool and off. Generally speaking, the belt shouldn’t press down more than half an inch; nevertheless, check the instructions since the thumb location and deflection distance may differ.
How do you manually check the belt tension?
Belt drive dependability and efficiency are negatively affected by incorrect belt tension and pulley misalignment.
Following pulley alignment, it is crucial to tension the belts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The simultaneous monitoring of all three alignment conditions is possible with Pulley Pro. The alignment’s accuracy is substantially improved, and the operation can be finished fast and simply.
ForceDeflection Method of belt tensioning:
- Calculate the needed deflection distance (1/64 for each inch of belt span length) using the belt span measurement.
- Press down on the belt about in the middle of the span with a spring scale to deflect it to the appropriate level. Take note of the force displayed on the spring scale once the necessary deflection distance has been reached.
- When the force needed to accomplish the desired deflection distance is within the range advised by the belt manufacturer for the type of belts being used, adjust belt tension. Because they have not been worn in, new belts typically demand higher tension levels than used belts.
Belt tension modifications have the potential to change pulley alignment, while pulley alignment adjustments have the potential to change belt tension levels.
As belts are adjusted for the proper tension level, the Pulley Pro alignment tool will assist in keeping track of the state of the pulley alignment.