1997 Ford Explorer AWD Logo

Related Topics:

Sille C Posted on May 10, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Serpinetine belt and idler pulley

I was driving to NC yesterday and I heard a loud noise and then a stench, followed by a flapping sound. My battery light came on and then the check gage light came on. The H and L on the battery gage shot down to L. Continued driving and got home and the serpinetine belt was stripped and the idler pulley was sitting on another part in my car. Car will start, but not 100% sure what the problem is or how much it will cost me. I know the serpinetine belt needs replaced, but did the idler pulley strip off or is there a bolt missing?

1 Answer

don-ohio

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

  • Ford Master 946 Answers
  • Posted on May 10, 2017
don-ohio
Ford Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Master:

An expert who has achieved Level 3.

Joined: Aug 06, 2009
Answers
946
Questions
2
Helped
238999
Points
2123

You have to have a mechanic look at it. You shouldn't drive it with the belt still on there.
Cut the belt off and get it out of there, make sure the engine's totally cooled off, and charge the battery to full charge.
If you have an electric fan, the engine won't overheat as quickly,but the battery will run down. If you have a belt-driven fan, you can only run 5 minutes to get to a mechanic,or just have it towed is the best.
The pulleys all have to be inspected and cleaned of any debris left by the ruined belt.
If you're gonna start it and drive it for the 5 minute trip,you need to make sure everything is clear in there,nothing rubbing. don-ohio (:^)

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 5 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 05, 2009

SOURCE: Serpentine belt tensioner pulley

Hello, the Tention pully works strangely sometimes. I have a 96 taurus and had trouble myself but the tool you need should be available to rent at autozone or advanced auto for around $25. then you find the socket that fits, and you should be prying counter clockwise. Also you may visit auozone.com for further intructions, but that is what i did. Careful prying in the wrong direction as this could cause your pully spring to weaken, causing further problems.

Ad

Anonymous

  • 65 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 10, 2009

SOURCE: Idler Pulley

Yes you do there is no way of removing it with out one with out wrecking it or damaging it

Anonymous

  • 58 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 18, 2009

SOURCE: in my 2004 F150 FX4, i replaced the idler pulley

check ur fuse relay box it might be out also check ur hot wires make shure they dont have touching the ground

Anonymous

  • 15935 Answers
  • Posted on May 21, 2009

SOURCE: car died, repeated clicking noise when start attempt...

The clicking is the Starter Solonoid not getting enough CCAs from the battery to start it.
While running - the alternator should be able to charge the system to 14.4V.

11 volts you are experiencing tells me your alternator is faulty.

Your dash and other items were turning off/on while driving because the voltage probably dipped below 8.4v.

Your vehicle runs off the alternator power once started. The battery is only there to get the engine spinning initially.

A backyard mechanic's way to test the alternator is to start the vehicle - then remove the positive wire on the battery (coming from the alternator).

** If the vehicle stays running - the battery is problematic - probably a dead cell - have it LOAD tested at a local parts shop for free.

** If the vehicle dies shortly after removing the + battery wire - the alternator is failing - and replacement is necessary.

Thanks for using FixYa - a FixYa rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

dnewcombe1

Dana Newcombe

  • 1564 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 22, 2009

SOURCE: What is the proper way to replace a belt idler in FORD ESCORT ZX2

Take the tension off the belt using a long handeled breaker and the appropriate size socket on the center bolt of the tensioner pulley. It will usually move to the left, Use great care in placing the socket so you are positive that it cannot slip. I've been bitten before and it hurts greatly. While the belt is relaxed, which takes some pulling, slide it off any of the top pulleys, just one. Your idler pulley is held in place with one bolt through the center. unbolt it and place the new one in place and tighten it up. After this put your elbow grease to work again on the tensioner and slip the belt back over the pulley you took it from. Before you let the tensioner release make sure the belt is sitting properly in ALL of the pulleys. Actually, when you remove the belt originally it's a good idea to hold it up and away by hooking it anywhere with an old coathanger or a resonabe facimile. Thank, Dana

Testimonial: "Thanks allot! As easy as i thought!"

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Screaming belt type noise comming from oil pump attached to alternator2008 hyundi santfe diesel,noise stops only when the oil pump removed from alternator.Replaced alternater with oil pump same noise

How about the serpentine belt itself and any idler pulleys, along with the belt tensioner. Those idler pulley(s) and the tensioner get loud when the bearing inside of them goes bad. That sounds very likely to be the case, check them out!
6c7d1049-0266-4c19-a6b2-eb677be2e17f-mllhxmajfunukklrwo4s204y-3-154.jpeg
0helpful
1answer

High pitch grinding noise coming from motor when starting idling or driving

Seven ways to pinpoint that high-pitched, whining noise

www.losaltosonline.com/special-sections2/sections/on-the-road/45742-
Oct 2, 2013 - I recently had new fan belts installed after hearing a high-pitched, ... Do you hear the noise when the engine is running and the vehicle ... Just replaced water pump (and timing belt) yesterday and squeal ... When driving it make a noise but change out and caught speed the noise is coming from driver side.Missing: 1999 ‎plymouth ‎breeze

What is causing that irritating noise? ' DSMtuners

Troubleshooting Strange Sounds Coming from Your ...

www.dummies.com/.../troubleshooting-strange-sounds-coming-from-yo...
You hear a high-pitched squeal that stops when you shut off your engine: Readjust or replace the belt. These belts should have about half an inch of play and ...Missing: 1999 ‎plymouth ‎breeze
0helpful
1answer

Flapping noise

A flapping noise is sometimes the noise made by a drive belt that is destroying itself, though in your case it might have a different cause.

You need to lift the bonnet and see what is going on, something you should have done when you first heard the noise as a flapping drive belt could damage wiring, brakes and anything else in the vicinity. I once warned a guy about his belt which he decided to leave until payday only for him to call me out later as the flapping belt had ruined the radiator.

The no-start condition might be related or might not...
0helpful
1answer

2008 vue with loud roaring noise while driving and while idle, what could it be?

Check all belt tensioners and pulleys.
Check condition of water pump.
Take off all rubber drive belts and check bearings for all pulleys including:

water pump
alternator
power steering pump
air-conditioning

as well as all idler pulleys.
0helpful
1answer

What to do for a siren noise on the front right side under hood?

I am not a big fan of belt dressing ... especially when you are not sure if the problem is a:
  1. dirty belt ... or
  2. dirty pulley ... or
  3. bad bearing on a pulley (idler, tension, A/C, alt, PS)
If you are at all handy I would take the serpentine belt off and check it's condition. How to change the serpinetine belt on 97 saturn sl2 do we have to change...
Which pulley got replaced? the idler (on top) or the tensioner (lower down)? Usually the idler or tensioner go first before an equipment pulley on the alt or A/C or power steering units.
0helpful
1answer

Chevy SIlverado Serpentine Belt Problems

Wrong routing of belt on your pulley, refer to your repair manual.
0helpful
2answers

2003 Mitsubishi Galant Idler Belt Tensioner Replacement

I also need help knowing how to replace the belt tensioner pulley. It looks like you can't get out the bolt because the pulley is real close to the frame, unless the bolt has nuts on both ends, but it doesn't look like it.
3helpful
1answer

My 2006 2.0 litre turbo volkswagon passat started making this very loud whistling noise yesterday evening when i left owrk. The car had warmed up and I start hearing this noise. What could this be? No...

You are the bestt person to identtify the source of the sound before we can go about a long check list. so open up the bonnet if you think it is from the engine side. Look for possible noise from
1. water pump
2. Alternator bearings
3. Idler pulley
4.AC clutch pulley
5. Belts..Tip Is: try to pour some water over the belt to confirm
6. main crank pulley
Hope you check this out. Helpful I hope. Good day
0helpful
2answers

Battery light turned on. Lost power steering and AC.

You broke your serpatine belt. Needs replacing. It's a $50ish part and easy to do if you have a diagram under the hood of how the belt fits. But if it was "rattling" for a couple of weeks take it in for crying out loud. Let the mechanic look it over to make sure your lack of vechile care didn't destroy anything under the hood.....
0helpful
1answer

I need the diagram for the serpinetine belt on a 1991 dodge spirit 3.0

The path of pulleys around which the belt goes (beginning with the crankshaft pulley, and moving clockwise around the array of pulleys) is in this order:
tensioner pulley (belt goes around the pulley counter-clockwise)
power steering pulley (belt goes...clockwise)
alternator (belt...clockwise)
idler pulley (belt going under the pulley)
and back to the crank pulley (belt...clockwise).
Not finding what you are looking for?

146 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Ford Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

xxxxxx xxx

Level 3 Expert

5117 Answers

Are you a Ford Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...