Engine running without belt
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 1,407
From: Canada
Engine running without belt
I can hear a cricket sound coming from the front of the engine at idle I’m suspecting my serpentine belt so I’d like to run the engine without the belt to confirm. Is that possible only for a short period of time. Thank you
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 125
Likes: 88
No issue to run it for 20-30 seconds like that. Please keep in mind that we do see a lot of Harmonic balancer failures on these engines. They will start to separate, causing belt noise. Check that would when the belts off
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 1,658
From: North Coast
You will be gone to run it long enough to eliminate or prove the belt is at fault.
I have fired up V8 Chevys on the ground to see if they were any good before buying. No belts no car.
1-2 MINS WILL NOT HURT.
I have fired up V8 Chevys on the ground to see if they were any good before buying. No belts no car.
1-2 MINS WILL NOT HURT.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 887
From: Nappytown MD
Even if it is not the balancer, this is good advice-check it, they wear from age as well as mileage/use. Mine (2002 w/56K miles) was a "wobbler" when I bought the car last Jan and had mine updated when I did the supercharger upgrade.
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^^^^^^^This^^^^^^ is truth. Your coolant sensor/temp gauge will tell you accurate coolant temp, as long as it's functioning. I once pitched a belt on a 1974 Camaro 350 SBC. Didnt know until the gauge started climbing. I was 2 miles from home, and went at least 1 mile (at 45mph) before it got over 220°. No damage. Should make guys think about looking at their gauges now and then!! This experiment should tell the tale, at least part of it......
