Serpentine Belt Problem

helievacpilot · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2012, 04:42 PM

Just got back from a trip to Boston to pick up our new "used" camper. About 700 miles round trip. Popped the hood today, and the belt had jumped a groove and was tearing itself up on one edge. Newer belt, all new pulleys and new tensioner. We hit some pretty bad road conditions through NY and NJ that bounced us pretty hard. Is it possible that the tensioner released just enough during one of these shock loads to allow the belt to jump?
Thanks - Bill

Patrick Feeley · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2012, 07:34 AM

I don't think the tensioner would "bounce" and have the belt jump. Check the alignment of the Power Steering Pump pulley. I kept losing one rib on mine and I had to "pull" the pulley out about 2mm. No problems since. Cheers!

zROCK · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2012, 08:42 AM

Also take a wire brush and glean out all the grooved pulleys. I kept chewing up belts every few months and it ended up being crap in the pulley.. been a few years now

leojr · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2012, 11:13 AM

Make sure all of your 'new' pulleys are for the correct number of ribs on the belt. I've read somewhere that some pulleys are have one too many or one not enough ribs, don't remember which.

helievacpilot · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2012, 03:44 PM

Thanks guys, I'll check all that out.
- Bill

pork chop · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2012, 06:55 PM

Also, take a look at the water pump. It could be failing and not leaking (mine did - bearing collapsed and the weep hole was clogged). that can allow the belt to shift.

helievacpilot · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2012, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pork chop

Also, take a look at the water pump. It could be failing and not leaking (mine did - bearing collapsed and the weep hole was clogged). that can allow the belt to shift.

Sorry, forgot. New water pump as well.
- Bill

Bouchardtowing · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2012, 03:42 AM

Check all pulleys for damage and being of the slightest.. Sounds like the power steering pulley though my 7.3 did the same and it was the power steering

helievacpilot · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2012, 04:04 PM

It's interesting. The pulley on the water pump looks like it's sticking out about 2-3mm too far for the belt. It's a Bosch pump. I wonder if it's just a little off?
- Bill

Bouchardtowing · #10 (**permalink**) 05-21-2012, 04:14 PM

If all other pulleys are fine I'd definitely check there

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