Q: What is the purpose and inspection process for a serpentine belt?
A: The serpentine belt is found in front of the engine and is essential for driving the engine and its components. In view of what it does and how it is made, this belt should be checked regularly. The serpentine belt drives the alternator, power steering pump, water pump and air conditioning compressor. With the engine not running, lift the hood and feel along the belt for any cracks or separations in the belts layers using your fingers (and a flashlight if needed). Also check for fraying and glazing that gives the belt a glossy appearance. You may have to twist the belt in order to inspect both sides of it. Inspect its lower side as well. They should all look similar, with none of them having an uneven surface. The tensioner system uses a spring-loaded tensioner assembly and cannot be adjusted manually. Replace this part when you can see that mark on moving part of the tensioner has moved out of range on stationary part of tensioner. To fit a new one turn the tensioner to allow release of a belt's pressure . This will entail removing it from such devices as a tension and auxiliary components, thereafter allowing slow release of a tensioner until it gets slack enough for removal of the belt. Route new belt over various pulleys again rotateingtensionerto permit installation thenreleasebelt's tensioners To replace faulty pulley/bearing, binding or lack of springiness on a tensioner remove mounting bolts. Follow reverse process during installation.