Serpentine belt jumping off

bvolks · 02-14-2008, 04:55 AM

The serpentine belt has come off twice since I bought the car (92 Tempo GL) in December and I can't figure out why. The belt is new and the tensioner seems to be plenty tight when it gets put back on (my brother has had it both times it's happened and noticed before it overheated). I'm worried it's going to happen when my wife has it and it's going to REALLY get overheated and do some major damage. I check it EVERY time I have the hood up (at least every other day to check the fluids) and it always seems ok, tight and running straight. Both times it's happened there has been water/ slush on the road. Is this a common problem with these cars? I'm leaning towards the power steering pump being part of the problem because it intermittently seems to not be working (steering hard) but am wondering what you guys think.

bvolks · 02-18-2008, 06:30 AM

Looks like the belt is going to be the least of my worries. The rear passenger's strut tower just separated from the body.

I noticed it before it tore completely away so I think I'll be able to jack it back into place and fix it.

G O R T · 02-22-2008, 06:50 AM

Make sure the splash shields are in place to prevent water from getting to the belt.

With the belt off check the tensioner pulley bearing for slop and the arm for twist, it is advisable to replace the tensioner arm assembly after 100K.

bvolks · 02-22-2008, 06:34 PM

Thanks. I'll check that out. Got the strut tower fixed too.

bvolks · 02-24-2008, 01:35 PM

It just happened again and this time I had the privilege of putting it back on. I checked the tensioner with the belt off and it seems ok but there are no splash guards of any kind on it. Anyone have any pics of what they look like and where they should be? Looks like I'm going to have to show her how to put it back on and put a pair of rubber gloves in the car so she doesn't get her hands dirty.

bvolks · 03-05-2008, 06:03 AM

I just saw the previous owner again and asked if he ever had that problem when he owned the car and he said "Yep, if I drove hrough a water hole sometimes. That's why there's a coat hanger in the trunk." Lol. He said when he replaced the belt it stopped doing it so it looks like I'm putting a new belt and tensioner on it. I can handle $15 for a tensioner wheel but $47 for a belt

That's half what I paid for the car! Lol. Worth every penny though I guess if it fixes the problem.

cronicus · 03-25-2008, 08:21 PM

check the harmonic balancer/crank pulley wat it crank not run but crank have someone rotate the engine its prolly of balance does the car vibrate?
for that matter inspect all the pulleys for play

bvolks · 06-19-2008, 12:11 PM

Happy to report that the belt hasn't came off since I fabricated a splash guard under that area of the motor nearly 3 months ago.