Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems?
Well, I was looking at my Belt Tensioner last night, and I noticed that the little pointer is at the VERY end of the "acceptable" range...so I guess that means that my serpentine belt is stretched out and needs to be replaced...right? I KNOW I have a BRAND NEW one laying around from my 85 (found it in the rear storage compartment). It's an easy thing to put on..but is it gonna make a difference? I mean...like..would a stetched belt affect my timing or whatever?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 336
From: Haymarket VA
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
Well, I was looking at my Belt Tensioner last night, and I noticed that the little pointer is at the VERY end of the "acceptable" range...so I guess that means that my serpentine belt is stretched out and needs to be replaced...right? I KNOW I have a BRAND NEW one laying around from my 85 (found it in the rear storage compartment). It's an easy thing to put on..but is it gonna make a difference? I mean...like..would a stetched belt affect my timing or whatever?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
It could break at some point. Mine had little cracks in it, so I decided to change it out. It's only $25 or so...Pop a new one on and be done with it. Better to be safe than sorry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
You could split the hell out of yours like I did mine when I downshifted from 6th to 4th on the highway (and stood on it!). I had pieces of the belt on top of the manifold. At some places, the belt was only 1/4 of its original width. I just thought I ran over some gravel when I heard the noise.
Mine wasn't in that bad of shape prior to that, just some cracks.
Mine wasn't in that bad of shape prior to that, just some cracks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
Why take a chance? Things never go wrong conveniently as you roll into your driveway after a long drive. Nope. They break and leave you stranded out in the sticks with a hundred miles from civilization, where the only nearby people are in-bred banjo pickers...
SO I would replace it if it were me, 'cause I wouldn't want to be stuck somewhere with Cleetus laughing when Cooter tells me to Squeal Like a Pig. :eek:
SO I would replace it if it were me, 'cause I wouldn't want to be stuck somewhere with Cleetus laughing when Cooter tells me to Squeal Like a Pig. :eek:
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (corvette0096)
Replace it. If you don't some of the pieces might sling around and damage something else like a wire or a hose. Plus it is cheap insurance to know that you won't be stranded somehwere because of it. I would hate to have to replace it on the side of the road while the engine is hot.
:D
:D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
When my belt wore out, it looked fine from the outside however, the inside of the belt was worn to the cords. This caused me all kinds of power steering problems on the track. The power steering would quit intermittently in the middle turn causing me to break the rhythm of following a line. I had no confidence going into any full throttle turn. My track times suffered because of that lousy $25-30 part.
I thought I had a bad power steering pump when all it turned out to be was a worn belt.
I thought I had a bad power steering pump when all it turned out to be was a worn belt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 0
From: Lake George NY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (TIMSPEED)
how do you get the belt off? where is the tensioner on a 96? Is it down in the middle in front of the water pump? just curious....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 17,715
Likes: 7
From: Closer to home
Re: Worn Serpentine Belt..would it cause any problems? (Voltech_LT4)
As you look at your engine from the driver's side, following the belt countercolckwise, the belt goes over the a/c compressor, then the alternator, then under the power steering pulley. The next pulley you see is the belt tensioner. The tensioner has a bolt looking thingy on the front of it. This is where you put your wrench and pull toward the driver side of the car to relieve the belt tension.
