3.1 auto
Serp belts jus started fraying out of nowhere an im stumped on what the cause could be
Belt seems like its flowing good so no idea whats causeing this
Thanks in advance

 

Do they first start fraying on one side?

 

Yes right on the side jus gets longer and longer each time

 

Then one of the pulleys has a bad bearing/bushing and is tilted. Or a pulley bracket is bent. When either happens, one side of the belt is tighter and the other side looser. This puts a lot of strain on the tight side and it starts to fray. I'm guessing the side of the belt toward the engine is the side that starts fraying.

Myself, I'd first check the tensioner pulley to make sure it is not wobbly. Also check to see if any other pulleys are wobbly or pulley brackets are bent. I haven't worked on enough different Third Gens to know which pulley or bracket is the weakest point for this kind of problem. I'm sure one of the more experienced owners on this forum can suggest which pulley/bracket is most likely the offender.

 

Actually it frays on the side closest to fan but I appreciate tha advice an will look into it thank you

 

Check the running edges on all of the pullies EXCEPT the tensioner, which can be ruled out because it doesn't have any. If it's on the outside, it's highly doubtful there is a bad bracket. Make sure the edges on every pulley are as smooth as possible without any burrs. Failing that, check the underside of the belt for severe cracking, which indicates the belt is just flat worn out.

 

Thanks for the advice I will check that also its just weird that it started out of nowhere

 

Definitely check the underside of the belt first because you don't need or want to be removing and cleaning pullies if the belt is just shot because it's shot...

 

I had a new belt at home and I checked it before I put it on...it seems like the belt is exactly where its suppose to be on all the pulleys except the water pump pulley but it isnt even that for off its so minuscule I dont think that could cause the fraying could it?

 

What kind of space are you looking at between the side of the belt and the front lip of the WP pulley? All the way around?

 

Having trouble uploading a picture but what I mean is the belt looks perfect around all the pulleys except the water pump but it seems like its still where it should be its flush with the lip of the pulley

 

Seems kind of odd to me. Should be about the width of a quarter between the sides of the belt and the lips on the pulley on front and back. I'm assuming you have a gap at the rear, correct? Might want to go to a store and pick up 4 M8 washers and put them between the pulley and the mounting flange on the water pump and then check your belt gaps. And don't forget to run a finger around the edges of the other pullies when you have the belt off and make sure there aren't any burrs.

 

Yeah thats what I think ill do my dad installed a new water pump so ill try an do this tomorrow thanks im pretty sure that is the solution

 

Check to see if the water pump shaft wobbles. Probably not as easy with the pulley removed, but iirc it loosens up as it wears out.

 

I will thanks for the advice

 

Too many times an aftermarket water pump won't have the pulley flange pressed on at the correct depth. If it is on too far easy enough to pull it a tad so the belt lines up better.

If not far enough on, tricky as the far end of the shaft should be supported as the flange is pressed on further.

RBob.

 

Another thing is that I saw him put back all the bolts exactly as they came off on the old water pump but one bolt idk if it leaks a drop because theres is rust stains I guess you can say on the pump under the bolt and the water in the radiator is kinda brown...or is that because I used tap water an the minerals in it or is it a result of the bolt

 

Many (all???) of the bolts require thread sealant as they go through water.

RBob.

 

Got it oh well jus to be sure ill jus get another watet pump an washers an the sealer jus to be sure theres no future problem...thanks