Drive Belt

[quinletc]

I've got intermittent squeaking noise coming from the engine.

I assume it's the belt - I did not replace when I got it, and I don't know how old it is. It's definitely not new, though.

So, regardless of the issue, I want to replace the belt. What other possible issues should I look for?

I realize this is probably a really simple procedure, but I can't seem to find anything on the internet that describes HOW to replace the drive belt on my AMC 232 i6 engine.

I do not have A/C or power steering. There are only 3 pulleys. Fan, crank, and alternator.

Everything I find that even mentions it just says, "Take belt off. Put new belt on with proper tension."

So that leads to a second (or third?) question. How do I know if I have proper tension on the belt?

Many thanks!

 

[007]

I'd say you would probably loosen the alternator, which should loosen the belt to the point it can be removed, then replaced. When you tighten down that alternator, keep about 1/8" of tension I'd guess - other's may have more detailed info...

 

[Lumpy Grits]

How much play in the belt?
Take the belt off and see how freely your pulleys all turn.
A noisy belt can be the sign of a dying pulley bearing.
X2 on loosening up the alt for adjustment.
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

If you still have the squeak after you install the new belt, keep an eye on the alternator. My son-in-law had the same thing with his YJ and the alternator finally froze up on him. Had to replace, and all was great again.

 

[quinletc]

How much play in the belt?
Take the belt off and see how freely your pulleys all turn.
A noisy belt can be the sign of a dying pulley bearing.
X2 on loosening up the alt for adjustment.
LG

I have not gone back to pull on the belt yet, but you reminded me of another, related question.

With the engine off (obviously), if I grab one of the fan blades, it has a bit of freeplay - it will move from side to side or up and down.

Is that normal? It doesn't seem like it should be that way.

 

[007]

If it is clutched it should move relatively freely in its normal rotation. It should not however wobble back-and-forth laterally.


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[Lumpy Grits]

There should be NO front to back movement when you tug on the blade tip.
LG

 

[quinletc]

If it is clutched it should move relatively freely in its normal rotation. It should not however wobble back-and-forth laterally.

I don't believe it has a clutch, but I kinda figured the wobble wasn't right.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Take the belt off-Then ck the play.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

It's funny what folks call different things. When I see "drive belt" I'm thinkin' lawn mower, snow mobile, Harley Davidson Motor cycles or a QuadraTrac Transfer Case . Under the hood I'm thinkin' Fan, Alternator, Power Steering or Serpentine Belt. I guess in one way or another they are all drive belts though.

 

[Peanut Butter]

It's funny what folks call different things. When I see "drive belt" I'm thinkin' lawn mower, snow mobile, Harley Davidson Motor cycles or a QuadraTrac Transfer Case . Under the hood I'm thinkin' Fan, Alternator, Power Steering or Serpentine Belt. I guess in one way or another they are all drive belts though.

You should come to Texas sometime and visit with some of the older people. A glove box in a vehicle was a pocket. The trunk was a turtle. All soft drinks were called sodas, then everything became a Coke. There are a lot more, especially in East Texas. This is the Oldest part of Texas. Where there are still shotgun houses, people that have only a couple of rooms to their house, and about 20 years ago I helped run a water line from a neighbor's well about a 1/2 mile through the woods to an old lady that never had running water. She would also take a bucket to the creek to get her water. She cried that day she was so happy.

 

[Hedgehog]

"Turtle" .... ..... That is great. My MGB GT had a boot, I like Turtle better.