Tips for fixing a serpentine belt and more
The term "fan belt" is often a misnomer today because the belt drives much more than just a fan. It is frequently called an accessory belt. The fan belt runs around a pulley attached to the flywheel and powers various accessory pumps and motors, such as the water pump, air conditioner compressor, alternator, power brakes, and the power steering pump. Some vehicles use one large serpentine belt to drive all accessory motors, while others divide the workload using two separate belts. Therefore, fan belts are important items that should be on your car maintenance checklist.
Regardless of whether your car uses one or two belts, you can replace your fan belt with simple tools you likely have at home. Here is how to replace your fan belt:
- Routine Inspection: Inspect the belts every time you look under the hood to practice good auto maintenance. Look for cracks and frayed sections. If any part of the belt's interior is cracked or the cording is frayed, you will need to replace it.
- Fan Belt Diagram: Your car has a diagram detailing the belt's path. Before removing the old belt, check this diagram under the hood (it is usually on the plastic cover above the cooling fan). Follow the diagram exactly when removing and installing the new belt. The diagram also shows the location of the special pulley called the belt tensioner. You can adjust the tensioner to change how tight the belt is as it runs around the pulleys.
- Remove the old fan belt: Take the old belt off the pulleys. You will need a wrench or two to release the tension on the belt. Tension systems vary by make, but their function is the same: they maintain a tight belt when in use and allow you to adjust the tension. In this case, you need to reduce the tension so you can slide the belt off the pulleys.
- Get the right size replacement belt: Obtain the correct size replacement belt at any local auto parts store. It is crucial to match the new shape with the old one. Take the old belt with you to compare it with the new one. If the new belt is slightly shorter (by about a centimeter), that is acceptable, as it will likely stretch out a little. If it is too long, ask the salesperson for a closer match. A longer belt is not acceptable.
- Install the new belt: When replacing fan belts, route the new belt through the pulleys so that it follows the exact same path as the old one. You may need to loosen the tensioner slightly more to slip the new belt onto the final pulley. Refer to the diagram to check your work. After installation, tighten the belt using the tension adjuster on your car.
- Helpful Fan Belt Repair Tips: The belt should be taut and should not squeal when the engine is running. To determine if it is tight enough, remove anything that could get caught in moving parts and turn on the engine. Turn on the air conditioner. If the belt does not squeal, it is probably tight enough.
When tightening the belt, be careful not to make it too tight. If it is too tight, it will put excessive stress on all the pulleys in the system and could cause one to fail over time.
Sometimes the belt may begin to squeal a few days after installation because it stretches slightly. Simply tighten it incrementally at the tension adjuster to eliminate the squeal.
Replacing Fan Belts: Car Repair and Maintenance
Tips for fixing a serpentine belt and more
The term "fan belt" is often a misnomer today because the belt drives much more than just a fan. It is frequently called an accessory belt. The fan belt runs around a pulley attached to the flywheel and powers various accessory pumps and motors, such as the water pump, air conditioner compressor, alternator, power brakes, and the power steering pump. Some vehicles use one large serpentine belt to drive all accessory motors, while others divide the workload using two separate belts. Therefore, fan belts are important items that should be on your car maintenance checklist.
Regardless of whether your car uses one or two belts, you can replace your fan belt with simple tools you likely have at home. Here is how to replace your fan belt:
- Routine Inspection: Inspect the belts every time you look under the hood to practice good auto maintenance. Look for cracks and frayed sections. If any part of the belt's interior is cracked or the cording is frayed, you will need to replace it.
- Fan Belt Diagram: Your car has a diagram detailing the belt's path. Before removing the old belt, check this diagram under the hood (it is usually on the plastic cover above the cooling fan). Follow the diagram exactly when removing and installing the new belt. The diagram also shows the location of the special pulley called the belt tensioner. You can adjust the tensioner to change how tight the belt is as it runs around the pulleys.
- Remove the old fan belt: Take the old belt off the pulleys. You will need a wrench or two to release the tension on the belt. Tension systems vary by make, but their function is the same: they maintain a tight belt when in use and allow you to adjust the tension. In this case, you need to reduce the tension so you can slide the belt off the pulleys.
- Get the right size replacement belt: Obtain the correct size replacement belt at any local auto parts store. It is crucial to match the new shape with the old one. Take the old belt with you to compare it with the new one. If the new belt is slightly shorter (by about a centimeter), that is acceptable, as it will likely stretch out a little. If it is too long, ask the salesperson for a closer match. A longer belt is not acceptable.
- Install the new belt: When replacing fan belts, route the new belt through the pulleys so that it follows the exact same path as the old one. You may need to loosen the tensioner slightly more to slip the new belt onto the final pulley. Refer to the diagram to check your work. After installation, tighten the belt using the tension adjuster on your car.
- Helpful Fan Belt Repair Tips: The belt should be taut and should not squeal when the engine is running. To determine if it is tight enough, remove anything that could get caught in moving parts and turn on the engine. Turn on the air conditioner. If the belt does not squeal, it is probably tight enough.
When tightening the belt, be careful not to make it too tight. If it is too tight, it will put excessive stress on all the pulleys in the system and could cause one to fail over time.
Sometimes the belt may begin to squeal a few days after installation because it stretches slightly. Simply tighten it incrementally at the tension adjuster to eliminate the squeal.
Replacing Fan Belts: Car Repair and Maintenance
By Howtodotips
Tips for fixing a serpentine belt and more