Engineering Better Belt Systems
An accessory drive belt is always both speeding up and slowing down.
Accessory Drive Belt Service and Science (VIDEO)
Accessory drive belts are not generic. This video is sponsored by Litens.
VIDEO: Inspecting The Serpentine Belt
Replacing the belt rarely stops the noise on its own. This video is sponsored by The Group Training Academy.
How Belts, Tensioners And Misfires Are Connected
Modern crankshaft position sensors measure more than the position of the crankshaft.
Understanding Belt Friction And Tension
Misalignment and bearing wear can cause the belt to track off-center.
Drive Belt Checklist: What Are You Missing?
You might have only one chance to sell a customer a new serpentine belt. With belts lasting roughly 90,000 miles, proper inspection at the time of failure is critical not only for selling the belt, but also for ensuring add-on sales and better customer satisfaction.
Selling Timing Belt Replacement Jobs
When pricing the job, don’t overlook additional and necessary related sales. The timing belt drives the water pump on these engines. Although very reliable, I would consider it a bad bet to think the pump will last 180,000 miles.
Diagnosing Belt Slippage
A belt is merely an indicator of the condition of the components with which it is connected. Like a brake pad or tire, it is designed to wear. But, the wear can be impacted by the total system.
Hydraulic And Mechanical Tensioners
An automatic tensioner optimizes the belt tension in function and adapts to changes in the belt and engine characteristics. Engineers have designed two main systems to ensure optimal belt tension at all times. The first one is the “traditional” and most commonly used design, where a spring-loaded mechanical tensioner controls the belt tension.
VW Beetle, Golf And Jetta: Broken Tensioner, Root Cause Of Failure Is Alternator Pulley
This type of failure is the result of severe vibrations in the accessory belt drive system. While a broken tensioner may be the result, the root cause often lies elsewhere in the system.
VIDEO: Five Tips To Diagnose Belt Noise
Andrew Markel shares five useful tips to diagnose and resolve belt noise, including twisting the tensioner, measuring the grooves, and ensuring the belt and pulleys are properly aligned. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
Accessory Belts, Tensioners And Misfires: A Balancing Act
Ever been amazed how complex some belt routing diagrams can be when all they are driving is an alternator, A/C compressor and maybe a power steering pump? The belt might be 8-feet long and loop around one or two idler pulleys.
