Broken belt

TIJERINAL1

MEMBER
1995 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Car belt is broke for the second time after it run about 4 miles, I stopped the car and turn the engine key off, I heard thre puff of the belt, any ideas, alternator pulley spins, stering spins, the tentioner is new, a/c is loose, the motor does not move, but if I turn the engine the car moves?

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

You say all accessories turn freely?

How 'bout the A/C?--Sure the pulley will turn freely if the A/C if in the "OFF" Mode, cause its not engaged with the compressor. BUUUUT!

If you have your A/C "ON" or your heat is in "DEFROST MODE"The pulley will actually turn the compressor--not just FREEWHEEL!

2 ways to check it w/ it on your rig

1) Put the belt on--Start your car and turn on the A/C---Does the center part of the pulley turn with the outer part (it should)

2) ENGINE OFF!--See if you can turn the inner part of your pulley with your fingers. If you cannot budge it, your compressor may be locked up

If you are in a bind and everything spins freely car off (with the exception of the inner part of A/C pulley)----Disconnect the A/C compressor wire at/ near the A/C Pulley---NOW IT CANNOT COME ON AT ALL! (THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE TO THE COMPRESSOR)--A/C will not work and the Defrost will work, but NOT to max efficiency ('COARSE IF IT IS LOCKED UP, IT WOULD NOT WORK ANYWAY!)

THIS MAY GET YOU AROUND TILL YOU GET IT REPLACED OR HOT WEATHER COMES UP!

Let me know if that was it!

The Medic