engine start without belts?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
engine start without belts?
This may be a stupid question, but I am admittedly in the early stages of my DIY learning curve. Good thing is that this will be an easy and quick answer for you guys. Can I crank the engine without the serpentine belt ? a/c belt? both belts? I am under the impression that I can for sure and have heard this recommendation for isolated some "sounds" in the engine to drivebelt or ac belt areas and I am trying to simply remove one at a time, crank the car to see if there is any sound and then turn off car and inspect each pulle etc more closely. I know without the alternator running the battery wont last long. I am just wanting to make sure it is all okay and how to properly do this. thank you
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 316
From: USA
Biggest concern is that the water pump won't turn and car would eventually overheat. But cranking and running for a short period of time it's fine. The same thing is happening basically when the thermostat is closed. Just don't forget about it and let it idle a long time...keep an eye on coolant temp to be safe.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
This may be a stupid question, but I am admittedly in the early stages of my DIY learning curve. Good thing is that this will be an easy and quick answer for you guys. Can I crank the engine without the serpentine belt ? a/c belt? both belts? I am under the impression that I can for sure and have heard this recommendation for isolated some "sounds" in the engine to drivebelt or ac belt areas and I am trying to simply remove one at a time, crank the car to see if there is any sound and then turn off car and inspect each pulle etc more closely. I know without the alternator running the battery wont last long. I am just wanting to make sure it is all okay and how to properly do this. thank you
The engine isn't going to instantly overheat. It is common to remove a belt and see if a noise changes/goes away. I have had to move vehicles around without belts - start-listen/move-turn off. Just don't let it continue to run and do not drive it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 42
From: Venice, Florida
Yes you can but only for short periods of time. A minute or 2 when the engine's cold is fine. As you said your alternator won't be charging the battery but more importantly the water pump won't be turning and cooling the engine. Also no power steering so no blasts down the block.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 153
Likes: 16
The AC belt on my 04 is a stand alone belt, so the car would be fine with out the AC belt, but obviously, the AC will not work...
The other belt is the important one that you need to for your engine to run for an extended amount of time.
The other belt is the important one that you need to for your engine to run for an extended amount of time.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS
As others have said, yes it will start and run. I wouldn't run it for more than maybe 5-10 minutes total without the cooling system hooked up though. DO NOT trust the temp gauge either. Without the water circulating you likely won't get an accurate reading. If you have an IR thermometer you can shoot the side of the block in a few places. Don't let the side of the block get above maybe 250 or so and you'll be fine. If the battery is fully charged you shouldn't have a problem with that for that short of a run time, but I would recommend recharging it with a battery charger when you're done, and don't rely on the alternator to recharge. Alternators are designed to keep the battery topped off, not charge it from a relatively deep discharge. That's hard on the alternator AND the battery. Good luck finding your noise.
