New serpentine belt shredded within one minute

Tiny
MARTIN DANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 BMW 118D
  • 1.5L
  • 3 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 71,000 MILES
I changed the serpentine belt and it shredded within 1 minute but the old one hasn't. I have not changed the tensioner could this be why?
Friday, November 20th, 2020 AT 11:50 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just so I understand, you put the old belt back on and it has not shredded? If that is the case, then it was either the belt or it was ridding on the collar of a pulley and it shredded it. That is not uncommon when it rides on the collar.

Here is a guide that walks through a replacement. Clearly that may not be needed for you but others that visit this page may need the additional info.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

Also, if the belt was incorrect it would fail pretty fast as well. I would just get another belt and install it just making sure that it is centered on all the pulleys.

If you have not installed the old one, I would do that and make sure it doesn't fail as well. If so, then I would agree the tensioner is the most likely cause.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/serpentine-belt-tensioner-replacement
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Friday, November 20th, 2020 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
MARTIN DANIEL
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  • 3 POSTS
Yes, the old belt is back on and okay, just squeaky hence the change. I did notice when I put the new belt on and started the car the tensioner cog was going back and forth quite a bit and making a clicking noise then it shredded.
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 3:20 AM
Tiny
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Okay. That sounds like it was possibly too tight. Was it real hard to get on? The moving around is what is pointing me to that so I would just get another belt and then when you remove this one again, compare the lengths just to make sure they are the same. The new belt may be an inch shorter because the old one is stretched out, but it should be just about the same.
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
MARTIN DANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes was about the same. My old belt has now decided to shred I have ordered a tensioner getting it Monday after a lot of messing and hunting for it, hah. I have got a video but won't let me upload it.
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Yep. Sounds like that would be it.

Here is a guide in case others need that visit this post:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/serpentine-belt-tensioner-replacement

As for the video, it has a lot to do with the size of the video and your internet speed. Don't worry about it if you get this repaired. The info on what fixed it is the most important thing for others. Thanks
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Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 AT 5:31 PM

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