How to Change an Automotive Belt

Co-authored by Duston Maynes

Last Updated: November 25, 2021 References

Are you hearing a squealing under your hood? If so the culprit is likely to be your automotive accessory belt, usually referred to as a serpentine belt. Though these belts last much longer than their predecessor, the V-belt, they do sometimes need replaced.

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Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Finding and Evaluating Your Belt

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This will make it easier to work under the hood. You can also use a drop light or other supplemental lighting if you deem it necessary.
2
Locate the belt in question. Most belts will be found on the side of the engine block. Serpentine belts are easily identified because they weave through several pulleys.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.} V-belts are looped around two pulleys and there are two or more belts overlapping at a point, forming a V-shape. You should replace the belt:
- if it is frayed or tearing.
- if it has cracks or missing chunks.
- if the belt has coolant or oil on it.
- These conditions make the belt incapable of properly running its components, which can lead to major problems for your engine. If for any reason you cannot locate an accessory belt or gain easy access to it then you should take your vehicle to professional.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Removing the Old Belt

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1
Locate a routing diagram. This can usually be found posted underneath the hood of your car or in your service manual for serpentine belts (S-belts).^{[3]
X
Research source} If you drive a much older car, you may have a multi-belt design (V-belt). Either way, if you cannot find a routing diagram you should take a picture or draw one before removing the belt(s).
- Be sure to make note of whether the grooved side or flat side of the belt makes contact with each pulley. It is important not to put the new belt on backwards.
2
Release the tension on the belt. There are a few things to remember when releasing tension on a belt.
- For serpentine belts this is done by compressing the spring loaded tensioner.
- The tensioner is just another pulley that the belt runs over, but only serves to keep tension on the belt and does not power any accessories.
- Some tensioners can be compressed by turning them with simple hand tools such as a wrench, and others may require a special tool. Usually twisting the pulley clockwise will compress the spring.
- V-belts do not have an automatic tensioner. They can be removed by adjusting the position of one of their pulleys to release tension.
- To loosen a pulley, turn it with a wrench or specialized tool. By convention, counter-clockwise will loosen the pulley.
Once tension is released, the belt should slide off of the other pulleys easily.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.}
4
Check the pulleys. One reason for a damaged belt is a malfunctioning pulley. You should check the tensioner and all pulleys that the belt contacts.
- Older tensioners might cause a slip in the belt.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Duston Maynes
  Automotive Repair Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2021.} If one wobbles or does not spin freely then you may need to replace it.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Running the New Belt

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Since these belts need to fit exactly right, the new belt should be the same length and width as the original.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.} The only difference should be general wear on the old belt. The best way to insure a perfect match is to compare part numbers.
You should use your routing diagram from above to make sure that the belt is run properly. Pulleys with grooves are intended to meet the grooved side of the belt, but some flat pulleys are meant to be driven by the flat backside of the belt.^{[8]
X
Research source} When you are done, the belt should weave through the pulleys contacting each pulley only once.
3
Tighten the belt. You want to make sure that your belt has the proper amount of tension on it.
- Older tensioners might cause a slip in the belt.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Duston Maynes
  Automotive Repair Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 June 2021.}
- For serpentine belts use the same tool you used above to compress the tensioner and turn it in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) until the spring releases.
- If you are working with a V-belt design then you will need to tension the belt manually. #*Find the middle of the belt's longest stretch.
- Move that point from side to side and the belt should have ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) of movement in either direction. Any less and the belt is too tight, any more and it is too loose.^{[10]
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  Research source}
- Check your vehicle manual for more information. If in doubt, consult a mechanic.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Double Check Your Work

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Does it match the routing diagram exactly and look like the belt you took off? If the belt does not fit properly or is not installed correctly it could damage several important components of your car such as the water pump, alternator, etc.
If possible it is best to have a friend start your car while you watch the belt. You want to be sure that it is running smoothly with no squealing or slipping.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.} Be careful to keep your hair and clothing away from any moving parts under the hood of your vehicle.
If you notice anything wrong such as slack in the belt or squealing, consult your routing diagram again. You may need to re-run the belt or make sure that it is properly tensioned. You should also check again to be sure all accessory pulleys are turning freely, including the tensioner. If you cannot diagnose the problem you should take your vehicle to a professional.

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Question

What does it mean when your serpentine belt squeals?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

A squealing belt could be caused by different factors, like issues with the belt tension, pulleys, or tensioner. Oil on the belt could also be the cause of the problem.

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How do you put tension on a belt?

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

Slowly release the ratchet when the belt is properly seated in the various pulleys. This allows the tensioner to once again place tension on the belt.

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Question

How do you put tension on a belt without a tensioner?

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

Use a pry bar positioned between the alternator and the block, being careful not to pinch anything. Apply pressure to the pry bar to add tension to the belt and tighten the alternator bolts while maintaining tension with the pry bar.

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Tips

Clean up any oil in the vicinity of your belt. Oil degrade the belt quickly, leading to more problems.

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If you notice oil or debris on pulleys, you should clean them thoroughly with a wire brush and brake cleaner before installing the new belt.

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Warnings

Do not put your hand, or any part of your body, into contact with anything spinning or moving on a running vehicle.

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There is ONLY ONE configuration for a serpentine belt. Even if it appears to fit differently than is shown in your routing diagram this can lead to pulleys being turned backwards and cause serious damage to your vehicle.

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Spring loaded tensioners can release quickly and forcefully. If you do not have the proper tools or are uncomfortable releasing/tightening the tensioner then you should take your vehicle to a professional.

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