I have a 1997 ford escort and was hearing a noise that the mechanic said was the spring or bearings inside one of the pulleys. I’m not sure which was the issue, the spring or bearings. So I replaced the whole setup pulleys and tensioner. Before I could get to the carport I smelled hot melting rubber. After letting it cool down I could see smoke coming from the belt and it was hot. After getting it put back together, I started it and sounded good for couple minutes then the belt broke. Any idea what made it hot and break the belt?
RESPONSE
Most likely reason would be a locked up pulley or accessory. The accessories being the power steering pump, air conditioning compressor or alternator. The Air conditioning compressor or alternator would be the most common. With the belt broke already I would check these accessories before installing a new serpentine belt.
Try to spin them by hand. If they are locked up, the issue is found. Some of the pulleys may sounds off if an internal bearing is going out. These may need to be replaced but unless really worn out would not cause the belt to break. Only a locked up pulley or accessory would cause the belt to break. What happens when the belt slides over the locked up accessory component, it creates friction/heat and burns the belt in two.
Belt Broke – 1997 Ford Escort Serpentine Belt Replacement
Removal
Relieve the drive belt tension.
- Use a (A) ratchet or breaker bar inserted in the square hole in the drive belt tensioner flange.
- Rotate the (B) drive belt tensioner in a clockwise motion to release belt tension.
- Remove the drive belt from the accessory drive belt routing pulley (6C348) and slip it off the remaining accessory pulleys.
Installation
- Position the drive belt over the accessory pulleys. Raise and support the vehicle, if necessary.
- Use a (A) ratchet or breaker bar inserted in the square hole in the drive belt tensioner flange.
- Rotate the (B) drive belt tensioner in a clockwise motion.
- Slip the drive belt under the accessory drive belt routing pulley and release the tool. Remove the tool from the drive belt tensioner.
- Ensure that the (A) drive belt V-grooves are correctly seated in the (B) accessory pulley V-grooves.
