Belt and Pulley Basics - EricTheCarGuy

Belt and Pulley Basics - EricTheCarGuy
www.ericthecarguy.com/
www.bbbind.com/
Once again I team up with BBB Industries to bring you this video on what to look for with your belts and pulleys. So if you have a noisy belt you might want to perform some of these checks first as it may not be the belts fault.
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ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[@labradormcgraw2409]

This guy got me into auto repair! I've so much to be grateful for. His repair videos are flawless - honest, solid advice from a seasoned professional. Huge respect to ETCG!

[@danielgregory1365]

Labrador McGra w

[@worstnightmare9772]

Auto repair seems really boring and very very hard

[@ericthecarguy]

@trekzilladmc I normally leave those alone but if it gets worse replace the tensioner, the point of the video is more to consider the belt and tensioner if you have a problem with one of the accessories like an alternator or power steering pump problem.

[@ericthecarguy]

@XHikotheproX Welcome aboard and thanks very much for your comment I really appreciate it from one 'car guy' to another.

[@ericthecarguy]

@1ownjoo2 After a while the rubber wears out and will not be as effective, glad it worked out for you though thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@videomotion8 Depends on the engine, with some it's just the back of the crank pulley with others there is a small disc that needs to be installed to help guide it on it's path. It's usually at the crankshaft from what I've seen.

[@ericthecarguy]

@TearsOfTheCloud Thank you very much for that. Things have been growing pretty steady over the past couple of years so we'll see what that brings in the future. Thanks again for the comment.

[@adrianamorales818]

Mines has a pulley,or tensioner,not sure which one,the one you said was Rock solid,it's wobbley,and...my code is showing a transmission problem,but,I don't know if that can be related,I hope so,unless I do need a new transmission...not only does that wobble,but,fan also looks like it's shaky,though I had it replaced not to long ago

[@ericthecarguy]

@Bbyslim87 You can remove the belt and start the engine to listen for the noise, if it's still there then it could have something to do with the timing belt area, if not you can rotate the pulleys by hand to see if you can hear or 'feel' the noise otherwise you may need to use the methods I show in my Finding A Noise video. Good luck.

[@ericthecarguy]

@aeligos It could be loose but it could also be a bearing somewhere, if you feel you have it as tight as you should make it you might want to check the rotating components for a bearing issue.

[@manizarif2566]

dude I just love how thorough you explain things with many major important detail that no one would ever point out

[@davidh1153]

Eric The Car Guy is awsome!!! He explains things that a stright-up dumb-ass can understand!! Thanks Eric!! Keep up the videos. they are very helpful. Even to mechanics who can't figure something out

[@ericthecarguy]

@aeligos Anytime metal parts rub together it can cause a squeal, it's worth looking into.

[@ericthecarguy]

@MileyCyrus192 It's nice when it's easy to find an issue like that, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@shoeb2015 I try to make videos that I think would be helpful if I was watching them, I'm glad that philosophy is actually working. Thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@TheDvayers Thank you very much for that comment as that is EXACTLY what I try to do when I make the videos, it's nice to know I'm doing my job well. Thanks again.

[@andrewharmon6810]

God bless you Eric. These videos help countless people!

[@tomr4962]

Amen to that Andrew 👌

[@frankietuned]

At least 1.1 million lol

[@ericthecarguy]

@DKLGalactus5 I'm glad you stopped by, good luck on your ASE's.

[@ericthecarguy]

@moni370 You might check the belt for wear and the tensioner for proper operation. I'm not a Saturn expert but I think they have both belts and chains depending on the make and model.

[@ericthecarguy]

@aseglkj Glad you liked it, thanks for your comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@dandim23 You need to verify that it actually does have high voltage either with a DVOM or a scan tool, if you find that it does then you might consider replacing it. However it could mean that there is a problem with the cat or some other fuel or exhaust system problem that's why it's important to check it out first.

[@ericthecarguy]

@cesear123456 On this one all you need is a 3/8" ratchet. See the replacing a serpentine belt video for details.

[@ericthecarguy]

@PVoyager Personally I would go with OE or a quality aftermarket part. Try to stay away from parts that come in unmarked white boxes is probably the best advice I can give.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Thegarmendia I've noticed that too, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@branco445 Sometimes the covers don't get installed correctly and can come into contact with the moving parts causing a problem like that. Good luck.

[@ericthecarguy]

@skoalchurch You could isolate it by removing the belts one at a time and seeing if the noise is still there but by the sound of it the AC belt might be the culprit, I might check the tension on that one and go from there.

[@dubblyewjay1133]

If I pull one I'll pull 'em all.. 1 time.. like Jesus being crucified.. once for all. Peace.

[@UnstoppableMorgan]

I just noticed my pulley completely snapped off! Thanks for the video, this is my first time working on this area of my bronco and you have helped me so much!

[@ericthecarguy]

@Nikon89xj89 It's not likely to be the crank pulley but you might consider taking the belt off and spinning the components individually to see if you can find the one that's making the noise. Good luck.

[@ericthecarguy]

@ad356 It's always nice to meet someone that doesn't mind getting dirty, thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@Badgirl4life773]

Really wish you worked in my town- you seem honest and knowledgeable. Thanks for the video. Hope it helps my shade tree guy.

[@AtroposLeshesis]

Thank you Eric , I appreciate your explanation of all the projects you do. This video and others you have done have actually helped me problem solve a few issues I’ve had with my own car.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Warlord1264 I'm not clear on if you replaced the tensioner or not but if you have then perhaps there is some stuff in the grooves of one of the pulleys or something that is causing the belt to bounce around, old belts can also cause this so if you haven't replaced it yet it might be a good idea.

[@ericthecarguy]

@dendorssers I will say that not all belts are created equal but also it could have been a tensioner or idler that was making the noise as they often act that way.

[@ericthecarguy]

@dendorssers I might be able to pull that out of the Accord timing belt video. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@suleimanmohammed4793]

Pls why belt pullouts on pulley in few seconds

[@DK-kv3ym]

Thanks eric you have literally walked me through several problems ive had. Keep on keepin on brotha especially on the great work.

[@018cb]

eric thanks for taking the time to post these videos i started watching when i bought my first car with your help and no previous experience i have changed ball joints brakes belts pcv valves and do my own oil changes i am now enroling myself in an auto tech class thanks for the knowledge and saved money !

[@ericthecarguy]

@BriggsMower Hard to say, if you know the belt is new and isn't glazed and that all the pulleys are good then perhaps there is an accessory that's having an issue like a power steering pump or AC compressor, it's worth checking out anyway. Good luck.

[@bennygreene1421]

Sometimes maybe the belt is put on too tight. .

[@ericthecarguy]

@aeligos I'm happy to help, good luck with the work.

[@silveradoman6544]

Really great write up. I appreciate your thoroughness; I've worked on cars and trucks for years and still learned many things from this tutorial

[@ericthecarguy]

@aeligos Perhaps the tensioner is faulty then for not maintaining the correct tension on the belt.

[@falkonmkx]

Thank you for this informative video. I had a tapping sound issue from my Ford 2V 4.6 engine and I was scared it could be a costly timing chain problem . Today I found that the belt tensioner pulley bearings were worn out and was the cause of the tapping noise I was hearing. It makes sense now that you pointed out the mal-effect travels all over the related components (as did the tapping sound+vibration), it was very hard to nail the problem for me. Problem is, these parts are hard to come by in my country so I have remedied temporarily with some silicon grease spray to the bearings. It did make the sound go away, so hopefully I could get the parts from good ol' USA in time. Thank you once again!

[@ericthecarguy]

@vinceperez158 I might think about changing it before there is a problem.

[@hischyoudontneedtoknow2896]

I would like to thank you, you have helped me repeatedly over the years with working on my vehicles due to economic necessity.

[@ericthecarguy]

@meanmopar426 Great tip, thanks for the comment.

[@frankfulton6510]

Great informative and well done. I am a baseball coach and spend all my time fixing players. When the cars go bad and I cannot get to the field I cannot do my job. So i appreciate this segment on belts. Now I can go fix it and get back to the game. Frank Fulton GM VMarlins

[@dingalao]

Im going to school to be a diesel mechanic at Unoh and i just found your channel today and you are better at explaining certain subjects better than my professors. good work sir.

[@MrPvtCrowley]

So glad I came across this a few days ago. My drive belt on my Ram went out last night when I was far from home. I knew exactly what to look for, and had it fixed within the hour. I had been hearing a sound like bad bearings for a couple months now, but I procrastinate a lot so it never got attention. Thank you.

[@ericthecarguy]

@DursosZeroPred Perhaps but the lighting in my shop kind of sucks too.

[@michaelelliott289]

Always love your videos. I've been dealing with this issue for years on all of my vehicles. Hearing the constant chirp is a thing of the past after I watched your video. :). Keep up the good work, E!

[@loudnoises4627]

Last video I’ll ever need to watch for any serpertine belt or pulley issues. Thank you Eric!

[@lendytate3852]

Eric ROCKS!! I believe I can even change the serpentine belt on my motorhome with his help. Thanks Eric!!

[@MsMiracles777]

Hello Eric the car guy, thank goodness there are good guys like you out there helping automobile engine challenged persons like myself understand the workings of our autos. Now when I visit my mechanic to check out my squealing belt issue, I will have a much better understanding of possible problems. Thank you so much. You are a bright light out in this big wide world. Please continue your great work.

[@ericthecarguy]

@DaEnvm Not at all, that's only if you are installing a timing belt that you need to be concerned with that.

[@oliverrojas7117]

thanks, you are often very detailed in your explanations. thanks so much for the warnings, about how a belt pulley or tensioner might lead to symptoms like the alternator not charging properly.

[@goofy170]

Very helpful video, I just had my drive belt replaced today and thus helped explain everything. Thanks Eric!

[@ericthecarguy]

@lineartechbd1600 Yea, you could just run the belt that is meant for the engine without AC I would think.

[@LACKSGRAVITY]

Doctor Eric the Car Guy I'm so glad you posted this video and my Pontiac Grand Prix 04' is too.

[@TheDvayers]

I just discovered your videos and have to say they are fantastic. Not only your knowledge about everything but your intuition into what questions might arise in the mind of someone watching and addressing them right away, concepts and all. Thankyou for making these videos and keep up the great work.

[@ericthecarguy]

@RradioActiV83 Any of the name brands are good, I really haven't found a brand that was a problem up to this point. The important thing to take away from this is to also check the tensioner and pulleys, if the tensioner isn't good then a new belt won't be of much help.

[@cynthiamartinez5341]

Thank you for the information. Recently had thermostat replaced and a two day later a revving noise started happening and noticed a tug on acceleration with knock sensor malfunction code. Watching your video I'm going to inspect tensioner and belt.

[@ericthecarguy]

@lineartechbd1600 Yes, I've done that very thing several times but be sure it's a problem with the external bearing and not with the compressor itself or you will be wasting your time and money.

[@TheWiseMan845]

I love your videos.! A lot of help. I was having a trouble with my tensioner pulley, replaced it and it was great. Now that noise came back again and mostly when I hit about 2K RPM.

[@medicaldetectorist7953]

Just when I thought I'd watched all your KZbin videos!!!! Glad to see there is still something to watch!!!

[@walterbrizuela4225]

Great delivery Eric. Like how you lay things out.

[@ericthecarguy]

@bikeordie666 It is possible but the only way to know is to get in there and have a look.

[@ericthecarguy]

@83budda Thank you.

[@ericthecarguy]

@beefystik I'll see what I can do.

[@0aldy1]

Great job done Eric, Thanks for all that easily understanding knowledge given!!!

[@nelmirantz8320]

Your the best! With your video i discovered a worn idler pulley. Replaced it and the engine compartment sounds happier. Keep up the great work!!

[@ericthecarguy]

@Vanuatoo If it were me I would check the pulleys and change the belts.

[@jessedemarcus5993]

Thank you Eric for the video my tensioner pulley just started clanking and clunking I narrowed the noise down to my tensioner pulley it looks like the spring in it is worn out

[@KillerZero259]

i love eric's lectures!!! so informative!!

[@mrdave777]

Eric. Thank you for everything. Your service is phenomenal.

[@bakonfreek]

Right. I had basically exactly that problem with the alternator not charging the battery (and some of those check engine codes popped up upon checking). Took it down to the shop and it was (at the core of it all) the pulley, but the belt was pretty well shot too because I didn't think too much of it when a classmate mentioned that maybe I should get the belt checked a few months before yesterday. Things that might happen when buying a new-ish (cheaply) rebuilt car.

[@BROTHAWARRIOR]

wow. i have a check engine light on and the code is for misfire in bank 1. i also have a squeaking belt....eric, u r THE man

[@carlosp9520]

🙋🏻‍♂️ same and now im fix it thanks to Eric

[@SchminnieB]

You always make the most accessible and comprehensive videos. Thank you! I am a random 30/F who has gone from zero car knowledge to being able to do light work on my Wrangler, largely because of you. I'm still a hack, but at least I can put up a front when I end up taking my car to a legit mechanic (I'm sure they can tell). Thanks!

[@dinisecustis2177]

Hello I am wanting to know what to replace on my Nissan. My belt melted on the bottom. When I start ted the car I heard something sounding like a fan cracking up . And seen a piece of black circle like kind of chipped up. The car was smoking a little on the passenger right front. I started the car again and the belt was a bit side ways but not moving. Can you tell me what I should do when I go get the serpentine belt replaced

[@dinisecustis2177]

Help

[@DaveAmico]

Excellent video, great info. Thanks. My 02 Tundra is configured different from what I found on youtube. However, this elementary explanation provides the knowledge for any configuration. Eric the Car guy gets an A++

[@jkevin703]

Very helpful video! I have a Saab 9-5 and noticed the tensioner was bobbing slightly even at idle, also another pulley seems a bit worn out, may well be the drive pulley and this video has literally very well clarified this fault for me. thanks Eric :)

[@ianferguson1281]

I appreciate the thorough and thoughtful explanation.

[@MattHumanPizza]

Nice thorough video. It helped with changing drive belt on 97' mercury mystique. Runs better now with no squeel. only makes a little noise when the air conditioning is on, pulleys seemed ok, but I suspect the tensioner pulley to be acting just a little bit silly. I can go without ac, just put down the windows and sweat it out

[@ericthecarguy]

@jdubb408 I think you'll like next weeks better.

[@lamrof]

Excellent, thanks man. And I will be sure to check pulleys with the engine on as you stated, thanks.

[@marilyn4638]

Thanks, Eric I think I solved lots of problems watched many of your shows.

[@KrisjanisPetersons]

Oh Eric, u always explain everything really good.

[@ronbattiston2468]

Wow! That is excellent information Eric. I am just going to change my drive belt on my 2006 Buick Allure and that info explains a lot and what to check for. Thanks!!

[@sweetcherie2008]

Thanks for the much needed advice in the video!I learned a lot!

[@adamh509]

I need to replace the belt tensioner in my car but theres a bolt that looks kinda like a bigger t20 bit that holds it into the main assembly, how would i get it completely off?

[@marjiemiller]

This is THE BEST video I've ever seen on how a car works and what this "supposedly important belt" does on a car! My God I think I understand it know. My AC hasn't been working well, then the steering got difficult and then this terrible squeaking started.This video explains how the belt is connected to all the components and how "the energy is transferred" from the engine. This guy is a real good explainer. Thanks ErictheCarGuy!!! :)!!! :D!!!

[@teiaperigosa]

I'm about to replace alternator....this was a helpful snack for thought.... thanks....will check on the belt and the pulleys and tensioners.

[@darrengallant5880]

hi i got a problem with my 05 neon , the belt gets noisy when i draw power, having the heat full blast or read defrost on but it also started chirping on stop and go at stop signs , any thoughts?

[@fixinggrace]

Thanks for the info Eric. Good Job!

[@XHikotheproX]

I just found your channel a few days ago, and im a car guy myself. But i have to say after watching some of our videos ive learned a lot of useful tips, thanks Eric!

[@knowledge5106_]

Thank you. I'm having squeaking issue with my 2008 M45 and I'll have to look at those pulleys and belt. Just as you said it could be the reason I have a check engine light that goes on and off.

[@I-HUNT]

Thanks Eric, Your video answered a few of my questions in relation to excessive noise from my engine compartment. Now I know that main pulley and tensioner on my 2005 Mazda Tribute need a fix as both components vibrate when engine is running. Thanks again, now at least I know what to discuss with mechanic when I visit a workshop.

[@Mike-lf7px]

Hey I'm having a hard time locating a tensioner and pulley for my 1994 caprice ls 5.7 liter. Do you have any idea where I can buy one, because I've been looking even asked the dealer.

[@megaman616]

Hi how do i measure the tension my tensioner is providing?, mine has an arrow and lines but i have no idea how to read that, ive been told that modern belts expand rather than crack and loose tension

[@doncarnage3539]

Eric you were completely right!! my steering pump was making noise for a long time and when it came time to change the belts i watched this video before and now with new belts my pump is silent

[@MrHeat1up]

Hello, when the belt sqeeel is that too tight or too loose? Assuming everything is lined up and all components are new.

[@caspernotsofriendly1803]

I've watched all of your videos their great resource. My question is on a lexus rx 300 v6 3.0 power steering pulley way offline of the crank shaft. I just finished the water pump and timing belt yesterday but noticed today that power stering belt is about 5+degrees off from the crank shaft pulley. Its now rubbing on timing cover behind the crank. What and where should i start with this issue.? Thank bro

[@gw2584]

Thanks for the video, got a question, should a tensioner bounce at all when the ac clutch engages?

[@nicksaya]

i had new tensioner put on honda fit. and had belt changed. the tensioner is moving or fluttering. i brought it back they changed it and it still does it. mechanic said there is a spring in there and that it's ok? i never noticed movement before they did repair. they are saying movement is normal. i will have to have dealer look at it.

[@jerrygarcia1218]

Eric , i recently changed my timing belt in my 2004 tiburon now i have a problem with the belt staying on the ac compressor , do you have any idea what it can be ?

[@meami5089]

Dude you are alright in my book. Party on with all the fixes