Serpentine Belt Comes Off
08-02-2015, 05:59 PM
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Serpentine Belt Comes Off Can someone help me with this? For about two years now, whenever I drive in heavy rain my serpentine belt comes off. I've replaced the belt, the alternator (and pulley), the tensioner and now I'm lost as to what to try next. Do I need some kind of cover underneath the engine bay to stop water from spraying up? If so, what's it called and where can I find one please?
It's a 2001 Firebird Base Convertible. Thanks!
It's a 2001 Firebird Base Convertible. Thanks!
08-03-2015, 09:25 AM
#4
I would suggest this perspective:
- A manual tensioner may solve your "problem" but it won't solve the issue at hand causing the belt to be thrown. A manual tensioner also requires regular maintenance as your belt wears out and stretches. IMO - This enough of a PITA on a daily driver to track down the real issue.
The belt should be "balanced" on the pulleys as the engine turns. Water will reduce friction on the smooth pulleys, but that shouldn't cause a problem. (It didn't when the car came from the factory.) Things like a worn/damaged pulley or a pulley out of alignment with the others can cause forces pushing the belt out of line.
Have you checked the surface of your pulleys for damage and made sure they are all lined up? Different cars use the same P/S pump and alternator with different pulley spacings, so putting on the wrong part or an error by a reman operation can cause you these problems.
- A manual tensioner may solve your "problem" but it won't solve the issue at hand causing the belt to be thrown. A manual tensioner also requires regular maintenance as your belt wears out and stretches. IMO - This enough of a PITA on a daily driver to track down the real issue.
The belt should be "balanced" on the pulleys as the engine turns. Water will reduce friction on the smooth pulleys, but that shouldn't cause a problem. (It didn't when the car came from the factory.) Things like a worn/damaged pulley or a pulley out of alignment with the others can cause forces pushing the belt out of line.
Have you checked the surface of your pulleys for damage and made sure they are all lined up? Different cars use the same P/S pump and alternator with different pulley spacings, so putting on the wrong part or an error by a reman operation can cause you these problems.
08-03-2015, 12:51 PM
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Interesting Thanks to everyone that's commented so far, some good food for thought here. I'd still like to know if there's an easy way to put some kind of cover underneath, I've had this on all my previous cars, so I don't know if mine is missing one or if Firebirds just don't have them. Curious though...
As for the pulleys being damaged or out of alignment, I'm really not sure. They all look ok as best I can see and then only part I've replaced is the alternator (twice!). I wonder if this is an indication of one of the pumps starting to fail? The whole things is weird to me. I've had my car for 7 years and only started doing this a couple of years ago. Each time I think I've solved the problem, next rain storm off it pops. Thankfully we don't get that much rain here in Colorado, but now it's getting to the point that I don't want to drive in the rain, which is stupid!
As for the pulleys being damaged or out of alignment, I'm really not sure. They all look ok as best I can see and then only part I've replaced is the alternator (twice!). I wonder if this is an indication of one of the pumps starting to fail? The whole things is weird to me. I've had my car for 7 years and only started doing this a couple of years ago. Each time I think I've solved the problem, next rain storm off it pops. Thankfully we don't get that much rain here in Colorado, but now it's getting to the point that I don't want to drive in the rain, which is stupid!
08-03-2015, 01:09 PM
#6
i have the '02 firebird with the 3800. i just replaced my alternator 2x now. a re-manufactured one was the first, and the diameter of the pulley was smaller than OEM. Due to a knocking sound in the alternator, I replaced that one with an OEM and the pulley was the correct size.
not sure if pulley diameters are your problem or not.
after i replaced alternator, them my idler pulley assembly went bad - belt was vibrating all over the place. replaced the idler pulley assembly, and now its acting as it should
On my bird, there is no splash shield.
make sure all pulleys are free from contamination (oils etc) take your belt off and clean all of them with brake cleaner
not sure if pulley diameters are your problem or not.
after i replaced alternator, them my idler pulley assembly went bad - belt was vibrating all over the place. replaced the idler pulley assembly, and now its acting as it should
On my bird, there is no splash shield.
make sure all pulleys are free from contamination (oils etc) take your belt off and clean all of them with brake cleaner
Trending Topics
04-19-2016, 09:31 PM
#8
This thread shows the shield which came on convertibles:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...19745492,d.amc
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...19745492,d.amc
Thanks to everyone that's commented so far, some good food for thought here. I'd still like to know if there's an easy way to put some kind of cover underneath, I've had this on all my previous cars, so I don't know if mine is missing one or if Firebirds just don't have them. Curious though...