Serpetine belt

Squirrely · January 24, 2012

I'm going through 1 belt a year.. or so. What the hell is with this?

I've already replaced the idle and tension pulleys. Everything is in line. I've tried multiple manufactures to see if one was better than the last but no luck. All I can do now is buy the lifetime warranty belt and keep trading them in every time one goes to hell.

5 years this has been going on. Any ideas?

txab · January 24, 2012

What vehicle and engine? Does this vehicle have a self tensioner or do you adjust the tension? If it has the self tensioner, have you replaced the actual tensioner not just the pulley? Too tight and your belt will fail early. Have you looked at the conditions of the various pulleys? Any bad spots that might be damaging the belt? Any pulley that doesn't turn freely?

Squirrely · January 25, 2012

I have the 350. 95 K1500 sierra

I did replace the whole tension arm with pulley. And it is the self tension design. And, I checked all other pulleys to see if anything stood out but all looked good, everything spins nice. Is there a way to back the auto tensioner off a little?

As per usual the belt starts to squeal a little on warm up, then in a couple months it will scream no matter what. Awesome

I only put 7 to 8k on this truck per year.

Debo511 · January 25, 2012

Check the P/S pump pully alignment.

Squirrely · January 26, 2012

I'm certain everything is straight.

I'l have to relook at things tomorrow.

Morgan1986 · January 26, 2012

well somthing has to be wrong for it to be eating them like that .

txab · January 26, 2012

I'm certain everything is straight.

I'l have to relook at things tomorrow.

You are using a straight-edge to check pulley alignment?

Duelin · January 26, 2012

Are you sure you are buying the right belt. There are several belts for a 95 K1500 350. Depending what options you have. Also have you ever had to change anything or do anything that involved the pulleys?

Squirrely · January 26, 2012

The only other belt was too long. But yes I did check that.

Threw a straight edge on everything and the power steering pump pulley is ever so slightly out-o-wack. I'm talking 1/16" is all. But, it does slop in and out a lot...

The idle pulley was loose, that's now fixed. And again, everything else seems good.

So does this mean the power steering is to blame? It seems so miniscule...