Serpentine destruction

jfonod · August 14, 2004

I have just purchased a 2000 1500 Van with a V6, 192k on it. It has been claimed that its eating Serp-belts at a rate of about 3-4 a year. Supposedly 9 dealers have looked at it and are mostly stumped. The last one suggested there is a problem with the crank and recommended engine replace (sounds extreme to me). So does anyone know of a possible issue with these motors or anything else I may want to look at? Thanks Very Much

blue2kzr2 · August 14, 2004

Check the alignment of ALL pullies. If they don't line up within 1/8" or maybe even less, the belt will get eaten as you describe. This is the front of the pulley I'm talking about here. Check for endplay on the crank if the shop really suspects that part.

Also, what kind of condition is the tensioner in? The idler pulley?

Wingnut · August 17, 2004

My 92 was eating belts like candy until I figured out that the idler pulley was trashed (the bearings in it more accurately).

But that's a slightly different setup.

tgroghan · August 17, 2004

My 92 c2500 pickup with the 7.4L was tearing thru belts. How are they coming apart? Mine would slice a 1/3" off the belt, all the way around. After so long I finally checked the idler pulley. It was metal and bent. I'm sure I bent it when I went to take off the belt one time. SInce it was metal it was cutting the belt down. I just replaced the whole idler pulley assembly (Autozone).

Good Luck

jfonod · August 18, 2004

I just got the chance to really look. And it does look like the crank pulley is shimmy-ing back and forth a little bit. I guess its possible for this to happen, but man you'd think with that much play in a crank it would be leaking oil or making tons of lower end noise or something. But I am going to look over all the pulleys and we'll see what turns up-thanks to all....

GMCSierra04 · September 29, 2004

Hi, I know that this is an old topic and I'm not sure if the problem was resolved but I happen to stumble on it any ways. One thing I have seen is that when voltage regulators tell the alternator to begin to put out more power, the magnetic field induced will make the pulley MUCH harder to turn. Especially with alternators reaching amerage outputs of 120 amps or more. If there were a problem where the voltage regulator was always telling the alternator to put out a lot of power, this would put a lot of stress on the belt. Just a sugestion if it still isnt fixed.