96 OHV, my idler keeps murdering my serpentine.

[Badjohn]

At least i think thats how it's working. The first time the belt snapped and pretty much just fell off. The second time the belt smoked and frightened the life out of my gf. So here's my question, should I replace the pulley on the idler? Or am I doing something wrong with the tensioner? After the initial replacement the belt was tight, but it seemed like it could have been tighter.

[jfjohn]

I'm wondering if one of the pulleys (idler?) is locking up when belt pressure is applied. Idler and belt tensioners are common failure items.

[sunnyford]

Is the A/C working when the belt goes? My A/C started blowing warm air once, and I notice a large cloud of blue smoke behind me on the freeway. Turned out the A/C compressor would decide to lock up, and that will take a belt out quickly.

[HBJJAM]

Originally Posted by sunnyford

Is the A/C working when the belt goes? My A/C started blowing warm air once, and I notice a large cloud of blue smoke behind me on the freeway. Turned out the A/C compressor would decide to lock up, and that will take a belt out quickly.

Did you replace the a/c unit or just the pulley/bearing?
I think mine is starting to 'go' out

[ROLLO]

As I mentioned in a post for tensioner failure could be the wrong belt, if it's to tight it will damage all or some of the components attached to it in varying stages of time depending on the components capability to take the load.

[Skyhawk]

Check for a pulley bearing that is siezed, an out of alignment pulley (badly worn bearing), or an A/C compressor that is siezing. A belt tensioner that has lost its tension is also a possibility, that is the belt is too loose.

[mark v]

Take the belt off and spin each pulley, if they are not smooth and free spinning it is bad.