Serpentine belt squeaking and slipping off?

JEANNA IVERSON

MEMBER
1986 BUICK RIVIERA
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
126,000 MILES

I have had the car for 5 years and the belt has always squeaked a lot. Overheated the same day I got it, and they replaced the radiator. Still had same squeaks and won't start if sits for more than 2-3 days. I figure with the slipping of the belt; it isn't recharging enough. I don't have A/C on the car, so I need a belt size that will work. I had a new belt put on a year ago and took away most of the squeaks but a little came back just recently, and I stalled and found the lower radiator hose was off. Put back on, filled with antifreeze/water and drove it a few more short trips to town and lost all power and found serpentine belt a few blocks back. I'm wondering if I need a water pump? Maybe tensioner pulley?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Hi,

Have you bypassed the ac compressor? If you have, the belt you have may simply be too big.

Here is what I suggest. Remove the serpentine belt and spin all belt-driven pullies by hand. See if there is resistance or noise from any of them. All should be easily turned other than the crankshaft pulley.

I attached a pic below showing the belt routing. Make sure it is installed correctly and that the pulleys are inline.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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