Emergency Belt replacement 101!

[LaserDad91]

Well, she almost left me stranded, but with some luck, we made it home. I have been having some belt squealing on and off now for about a month. All belts were replaced 20K miles ago, so figured they just needed tightened some. I tightened the Power Steering as it seemed a little loose, and it seemed to help, but was still getting a squeal now and then at start up. The other day when parking, turned the wheel sharp and got a good loud squeal, so, I figure maybe either power steering belt was shot or pump going bad, causing some drag. Yesterday I read the post on “belt squeal” and found it very helpful, so I was going to check out some stuff this weekend. No suck luck, she had enough of the belt and was going to force the issue!!

So yesterday I start it up at work, get a 1 sec squeal then the “BATT’, “BRAKE” and the “RADIATOR” symbols all light up on the dash. I remember reading about that happening on here and though I could not remember exactly, I figured the power steering pump went bad, and sure enough, I had no power steering. So, since it raining, I decide to go ahead and drive it home, no biggie on loss of power steering. I decided to stop at a gas station where I could get out of the rain and pop the hood, leaving it run, just in case battery is draining. So far, outside of the lights and steering, temp and all seemed good.

Well I immediately notice no power steering rotation, but belt is still there! I then notice the main serpentine belt has jumped off the pulleys, but somehow, is still hanging there and not ripped to shreds! (I really did not realize at this time, that this belt also ran the water pump) So I go to shut off the car, notice the temp is up and think, great, no more driving and I have no tools!! I remember I do have a nice long Craftsman screwdriver in the hatch, which I was planning on taking back to Sears for an exchange. Maybe I can use my snowmobile skills on belt replacement and get the sucker back on there!! After all, it jumped off, it should go back on and maybe I can limp home? Ha, ha.

I tried for about 20 min with no luck. Went in and bought some pliers, to try and loosen the alternator, long shot and of course, Ha ha, no luck! Finally I managed to get it back on, what luck!

After a few attempts, I positioned the belt around the crank and alternator, and slowly pried it over the water pump pulley. The long screwdriver gave me enough room and leverage to get it between the belt and pulley, and push it on (pushing towards the rear of the car). So I drove to Walmart and bought best little mechanics tool set that $15 dollars can buy, :laugh: cause it staying in the car from now on for emergencies!!

I went out and using the fine set of tools, tightened the belt in the parking lot. No biggie, belt looked OK, problem solved, right? Ha, ha again. I left the store and tried her out at a few modest 5K shifts. No problem until I get into 5th and cruise and I immediately here the belt shredding! But no lights yet so I kept her going until the next gas station, and check it out. Sure enough, the belt is coming apart! Oh well, only about 25 more miles to go, nursed her home and made it OK! (at this time I did not remember I might have a belt in the hatch)

Once home I checked and my “old” belts were still in the hatch (I thought I had saved them!). So I check them, they look Ok, and I replaced the belt. Old belt was a “Gates”. I just had mechanic replace them all when he did the timing belt (I thought he had told me they looked OK, but I just like replacing them and then I know they new and should last a while, right? Lol) All seems good for now. I made it to work with no problems today. I did check the belt area after the replacement and all seems OK, but will double check per the belt thread yesterday. So much for “Kelley Springfield” belts on the Laser!

 

[w1kk3d]

ya get what you pay for
OEM belts are the best.

 

[mkalters]

Hello the same thing happened to me I took it to 3 mechanics and changed the alternator belt 5 Times. Finally I found out the cam seal is leaking oil out onto the belt. Look on the underside of your hood for oil above the power steering belt and the alternator belt. The place mine is leaking is back in behind the power steering pump bracket so it is leaking oil onto the belt so they are slipping then shreding (At least that is what is happening on mine. )

 

[LaserDad91]

Hello the same thing happened to me I took it to 3 mechanics and changed the alternator belt 5 Times. Finally I found out the cam seal is leaking oil out onto the belt. Look on the underside of your hood for oil above the power steering belt and the alternator belt. The place mine is leaking is back in behind the power steering pump bracket so it is leaking oil onto the belt so they are slipping then shreding (At least that is what is happening on mine. )

TY for a "useful" response. All the belts are dry and no oil leaking. Nothing on the hood, as I just cleaned all of that last summer, and no new "dirt". I had the T belt done like I said and mechanic checked all of the seals etc. and all seems OK. In addition, engine uses no oil. I never have to add any between oil changes. But I will keep all of the above in mind, since issues can crop up, as well as the crank pulley damper problems that can occur. I just thought it was a good story on how to recover in the face of being stranded!! .

I think it is manly a matter of belt quality. But, the other belts on the car have held up well. While I have had no problems with Kelley belts in the past, this car does turn higher RPM's than most, so we will see how the "Gates" belts do. Have a good one!!

 

[LaserDad91]

Not trying to “high jack” (if that is the correct phrase…) my own post but I have an update that may be useful, plus some questions.

Belt has been OK for the most part, and is an old one in very good condition. I do plan on replacing it though; just have not gotten one yet. I checked the tension from where I set it and there appeared to be no change, just an “informal” push on belt and watching deflection. Belt did squeal once when truing wheels sharp (all the way) during parking, (I do think this happened, yesterday), but stopped as soon as I backed off the steering limit. This must be due to the extra load on the power steering pump, but it should not happen. I assume, maybe tighten the belt a little more but a busy evening, no time.

This morning was cold and snowy. Car did fine yesterday in the snow, etc, no problems. I started car up, so it could thaw out, no issues. Heater Defrost on max, parking lights on, (just habit), and I turned the rear defroster on. Whenever I turn rear defroster on, engine speed decreases a little, due to increased electrical load, which, does not seem to strange.

So, no issues and I start to go inside the house, and then it starts to squeal a little, and gets worse!! So, $%^, I shut it off and get the flash light, disgusted since I don’t have time to mess with it this AM. Open the hood, start it up, no squeal, belt looks OK?? WTF?? So…….I turn on the rear defrost, squeal…..hmmm…increase electrical load, belt slips. Leave rear defrost on, turn off lights, OK. So I accept this for now, (I have my tool kit….), turn everything back on, rev it up twice, belt “seats” and I leave, no problems all the way to work (30 miles+).

So first thing, I will tighten belt some more tonight and maybe pick up another spare. Maybe just change the tension about 2 turns or so, and see what happens. I am sure the pulleys need cleaned too. Had a somewhat similar problem with my 5th Ave and belt noise, and once I cleaned the pulleys, installed a new belt, it was fine. But it not as “hyper” as the Laser…….

My question is, would this “relation” to the increased electrical load indicate maybe I need a new alternator? Car has 93K and as far as I know, alternator is original. Any suggestions?

What is a good brand to get as I have read about the junk (and do believe it) that AutoZone and Advance sells?

Should I get a higher capacity Alternator? (I remember a thread on it in here somewhere).

I hate to buy something if I do not really need it, but, considering all, it might not be a bad idea……... Taking it to Detroit tomorrow, hmmm, maybe I should take the 5th……...

 

[LaserDad91]

ya get what you pay for
OEM belts are the best.

Don't think so, go here........http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1369655#post1369655

 

[w1kk3d]

What does that have to do with OEM belts?
Your entire problem was the crank pulley seperation which is known by everyone to fall apart on DSM's sooner or later. Usually later, around the 75k+ mark. Which isn't all that bad really.
I still wouldn't trust Kelly Springfield belts, meh

 

[LaserDad91]

What does that have to do with OEM belts?
Your entire problem was the crank pulley seperation which is known by everyone to fall apart on DSM's sooner or later. Usually later, around the 75k+ mark. Which isn't all that bad really.
I still wouldn't trust Kelly Springfield belts, meh

Duh, that was my point, it had nothing to do with the belts!

 

[oldman]

What does that have to do with OEM belts?
Your entire problem was the crank pulley seperation which is known by everyone to fall apart on DSM's sooner or later. Usually later, around the 75k+ mark. Which isn't all that bad really.
I still wouldn't trust Kelly Springfield belts, meh

Good thing I read the whole untire thread before I commended. I was gonna say harmonic balancer half way throught your first paragraph. Damn you make long posts.