Help...belt walking forward
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Cary NC
Help...belt walking forward
I need some help. There is some great information out here on belt replacements, etc. They have been most helpful. But I need a little help bringing this to my level.
I replaced my main serpentine belt last year cause it squeeled. Changed it with a Gatorback at the dealership...problem solved. Opened my hood the other day to change the oil and a third of my belt was left!!! So I went out and bought a new Gatorback and tossed it on myself. (Great write up on this on the forum...many thanks to those who wrote them)
Well I figured there was more to the story, but told myself to check and see where the problem will pop up over time. Well one day later the belt is walking forward on the tensioner (passanger side, moving forward towards front of car). So I come out and its hanging off the tensioner by 2 or 3 lines but on everything else. Thoughts? Is it the tensioner that is causing the issues you think? Or could it be something else?
Thanks for any help!
I replaced my main serpentine belt last year cause it squeeled. Changed it with a Gatorback at the dealership...problem solved. Opened my hood the other day to change the oil and a third of my belt was left!!! So I went out and bought a new Gatorback and tossed it on myself. (Great write up on this on the forum...many thanks to those who wrote them)
Well I figured there was more to the story, but told myself to check and see where the problem will pop up over time. Well one day later the belt is walking forward on the tensioner (passanger side, moving forward towards front of car). So I come out and its hanging off the tensioner by 2 or 3 lines but on everything else. Thoughts? Is it the tensioner that is causing the issues you think? Or could it be something else?
Thanks for any help!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Eddy Texas
Better check your crank pulley/balancer. They are held on by a bolt that can loosen, allowing the balancer to " walk out" on the crankshaft, and many also wobble pretty bad. The balancer can also seperate from the rubber vibration damping material getting dry and failing. Also look for signs of the belt and/or pulley contacting the steering rack.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: 500HP FRC feels really good... NY
Are you bleeding any oil? I had a walking balancer and it killed the belt (shredded lengthwise), but the seal behind it cracked in half. Lots of oil spatter. Good luck with the fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
From easiest to NIGHTMARE....
1. Faulty tensioner or idler pulley
2. Faulty harmonic balancer (crank pulley)
3. Faulty crankshaft thrust bearing...Unfortunately when the thrust bearing goes it usually damagaes the crankshaft to the point it will have to be reground or replaced.....This is a B*TCH...It will require pulling and major dissassemly of the engine....Easy way to check it...Place car on lift....Use a large prybar or screwdriver and pry between the crank balancer and engine....Does the entire cranshaft (not just the balancer) move fore and aft???..If so, break out the piggy bank....NOTE:This can be confused with a faulty balancer....Be certain to watch for the entire crankshaft to move fore and aft, not just the balancer..
I havent encountered this on a C5...but on many other vehicles..especially Fords and Dodges....But they all operate on the same principal...so dont rule it out....Dont waste $$$ on a balancer if you realy need a thrust bearing/crankshaft.....
1. Faulty tensioner or idler pulley
2. Faulty harmonic balancer (crank pulley)
3. Faulty crankshaft thrust bearing...Unfortunately when the thrust bearing goes it usually damagaes the crankshaft to the point it will have to be reground or replaced.....This is a B*TCH...It will require pulling and major dissassemly of the engine....Easy way to check it...Place car on lift....Use a large prybar or screwdriver and pry between the crank balancer and engine....Does the entire cranshaft (not just the balancer) move fore and aft???..If so, break out the piggy bank....NOTE:This can be confused with a faulty balancer....Be certain to watch for the entire crankshaft to move fore and aft, not just the balancer..
I havent encountered this on a C5...but on many other vehicles..especially Fords and Dodges....But they all operate on the same principal...so dont rule it out....Dont waste $$$ on a balancer if you realy need a thrust bearing/crankshaft.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Cary NC
Man thanks to you all. This is great feedback. I tried like crazy to get the balancer to move and it goes no where so I don't think its that, but like you said...can't be too sure.
I will let you all know what happens here.
Thanks!
I will let you all know what happens here.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
If the balancer dosnt move replace the tensioner assembly....Its only about $100...Easy to replace....If the spring in it is weak it can allow the belt to jump track.......I havent seen a C5 with 50K miles that didnt need one anyway.......
