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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Serpentine Belt Went Bad In 3 Weeks

  • Thread starter Thread starter eskion
  • Start date Start date Sep 29, 2013

eskion

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
27
1
4
Northwest Indiana
Sep 29, 2013
#1
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #1
Had the old belt on the car from 2006 until 3 weeks ago. Never had any problems until then. It would squeal a little when I would start the car, but that was it, and then I noticed that there was a groove in the under side of the belt that matched perfectly with the tensioner. After three weeks my new belt has the same squeal on start up, and the same groove worn into it. I'm posting a picture of a factory tensioner so you can see the type of groove it's wearing into the belt.

My question is what would cause this? I'll try to post a picture of the belt after work tomorrow. I know the belt size is correct because it worked fine for 7 years.
 

Attachments

  • tensioner.webp
    11.8 KB · Views: 204

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Sep 29, 2013
#2
  • Sep 29, 2013
  • #2
What's your definition of "going bad"?
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Sep 30, 2013
#3
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #3
Tensioner is worn
 

eskion

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
27
1
4
Northwest Indiana
Sep 30, 2013
#4
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #4
Going bad would mean that I'm finding pieces of the belt stuck to the under side of my hood. It's literally being shredded

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,123
21,292
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 30, 2013
#5
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #5
Still waiting to see the belt. Looking at that pic of the tensioner doesn't say anything at all.
 

eskion

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
27
1
4
Northwest Indiana
Sep 30, 2013
#6
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #6
Here is the belt

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1380574888806.webp
    38.3 KB · Views: 228

Grabbin' Asphalt

10 Year Member
Jun 10, 2013
2,029
310
124
Atlanta, Ga
Sep 30, 2013
#7
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #7
I believe the tensioner groove is indented and not protruding right. But on the water pump it lays against its back, ...correct?? I would look at the water pump pulley, .....unless something is caught inside the tensioner groove???
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Sep 30, 2013
#8
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #8
How much deflection is there on the belt? You should have about 1/4 to 1/2". That belt looks awful tight. Can you post a pic of the front of the engine and the tensioner with the belt on. I want to see where the tensioner is in the range.
 

eskion

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
27
1
4
Northwest Indiana
Oct 8, 2013
#9
  • Oct 8, 2013
  • #9
Think I found the problem. There is a buildup of rubber where the belt meets the tensioner. I'm thinking that the tensioner has siezed up. Will check my theory tomorrow.
 

eskion

New Member
Mar 19, 2007
27
1
4
Northwest Indiana
Oct 10, 2013
#10
  • Oct 10, 2013
  • #10
Tensioner pulley was completely seized. Ordering a new one tomorrow along with some underdrive pulleys
 
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