Shop Press

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Cars that make you think of something specific

Some vehicles have the power to evoke strong memories or associations. Whether it's a classic film, a historical event, or a beloved television show, these vehicles often serve as iconic symbols. You’ll likely only have to read the headers in this piece for you to...

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Locating the cause of an electrical fault can be a challenge even for the most experienced professional. I’m not referring to open circuits or even short circuits. These are relatively easy to find. In either case, the component, or load, won’t work. But the most...

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

When I first began writing service at an indie auto repair shop, one line item on the bill was “shop supplies.” We tacked on some percentage of the bill, capping at $19.88. Shows you how long ago that was! Customers would ask about it, and many were angry about the...

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Disclaimer: I purchased this tool at full retail price. In fact, I actually purchased two so I could try out the version with a high-voltage lead.If you’ve met my fellow Shop Press contrib Pete, seen his videos, taken his classes, or read his articles, you’ll know...

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Description Coiled wire is a smart idea for adding service loops or mechanical strain relief on automotive electrical jobs or other projects. In three easy steps, you can make your own coiled wire sections for all kinds of applications.

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

by | Mar 28, 2024

Performing a visual inspection of a car part is usually the first step in assessing its condition. In the case of the serpentine belt, any sign of physical damage to the belt means the belt should be replaced, and may indicate the need to more closely inspect the driven components, tensioner, and belt pulleys.

But relying on a visual inspection of your customer’s serpentine belt alone is a mistake.

Since the late ’90s, serpentine belts have been made with ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, or EPDM. This synthetic material does not show visual wear until it is long past its useful life. Instead, you need to think of belt inspections more like a tire inspection.

Therefore, when inspecting a belt, gauge the wear of the ribs and grooves of the belt much like you check the tread depth of a tire. Do this with a special tool like the one shown below.

Many belt gauges use a series of teeth, placed in the belt's grooves, to determine wear.

Many belt gauges use a series of teeth placed in the belt’s grooves to determine wear. Photo: Peter Meier.

Every belt manufacturer makes one, so appearance and use of the tools differ slightly. And every parts supplier usually has boxes of them in stock, available free to anyone that asks for one.

The most common gauge uses a series of teeth that can be rounded or come to a point. Use the tool by placing the tool perpendicular to the belt’s ribs, inserting the teeth into the belt’s grooves. If the tool lies flat on top of the belt ribs, the belt is worn and needs to be replaced.

However, using this style tool, if there is a gap between the top of the belt ribs and the tool, the belt can be placed back into service.

Worn Belt
Many belt gauges use a series of teeth, placed in the belt's grooves, to determine wear.

If a tool of this design lies flat on top of the belt ribs, the belt is worn past its service limits. Photo: Mike Apice.

Serviceable Belt
Many belt gauges use a series of teeth, placed in the belt's grooves, to determine wear.

If there is a gap between the base of the tool and the top of the ribs, the belt is still serviceable. Photo Mike Apice.

Some tools work by inserting teeth into the groove and inspecting the amount of free play between the tool and the grooves. Another tool, like the one shown below, is placed between adjacent grooves and moved radially, magnifying wear your naked eye might not catch.

Many belt gauges use a series of teeth, placed in the belt's grooves, to determine wear.
The gauge offered by Gates uses a single rod that either falls below the rib tops or remains slightly above it. Photo: Mike Apice.

The accessory belt drive relies on a wedging effect to effectively transfer power from the engine to the driven accessories. A worn belt can slip (yet may not cause the characteristic squeal you have heard before) and run hotter than it should. That means more heat is passed on to the bearings of the idler and tensioner assemblies as well as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, and in some applications, the water pump. That excess heat also means premature—and potentially costly—failure of these components. And remember, the belt tensioner is also a wear item. Replace it whenever you replace a worn belt to ensure maximum efficiency from the engine’s accessory drive. Failure to treat these components as a set could result in belt noise and a customer comeback.

The articles and other content contained on this site may contain links to third party websites. By clicking them, you consent to Dorman’s Website Use Agreement.

Related Articles

Shop Press Comment Policy

Participation in this forum is subject to Dorman’s Website Terms & Conditions. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline feedback
View all comments

Get Articles In Your Inbox

Subscribe to receive a monthly email summary of our latest Shop Press stories.

Shop Press

I agree to the above privacy statement and T&Cs

Thanks! You're now subscribed.