'94 with serpentine belt problems

[treeman]

Recently replaced the power steering pump, idler pulley and serpentine belt on my son's 94 V6 Explorer. Noted that the old belt was 1/2 the width it should have been from wear. Two weeks after the repair the new belt has worn to the same narrow width. The new belt was very tight to install(double checked the part # and it was correct per Autozone). Any ideas? Problem with belt tensioner?

 

[quicklook2]

check water pump pulley.

take off the old belt and don't just spin water pump grab it on its axis and see if it moves.

if it does, get a new pump.

buy a goodyear gatorback belt.

 

[mikeinri]

As mentioned, this is most likely a pulley alignment issue. They all need to be in an even plane. You can do an eyeball check, or get a straight edge and place it across the pulleys.

My money is on the tensioner. I recently replaced one that was so worn, it was starting to sit funny. I caught it before I lost the belt, but it was definitely only a matter of time. These are very inexpensive ($30) and many people replace them every time the belt is replaced.

Mike

 

[trucku]

also measure your belt to make sure it was same length as the one you changed. Use a string then measure that. It can be too short even though #s are correct. Happened to me with a belt that was 1 inch too long.

Wire brush your grooved pulleys and you will get rid a lot of rubber from it. This will also allow your belt to seat properly on the Groves and not ride on the debris.

I second the other guys with checking your pulleys.

Cheap insurance would be to replace the tensioner with pulley. I did for $37.

 

[Tony H]

Check the Bolt that hold the Tensioner on. The one that is kind of buried may have loosened and now it is chewing the belt. For that matter run your hands around the belt you might feel some obstructuion that is cutting the belt.

 

[treeman]

Thanks all. I was thinking about replacing the tensioner. Will try your other tips too.