Beware the Serpent!

Hello,

I have a 2001 Rodeo that I just bought with an apparent good motor.

The A/c clutch was seized, belt shredded. I replaced the compressor, and belt. The new belt moved to the front of the crankshaft pulley, the rear of the waterpump pulley and began to wear as it rode out of position.

I checked the tensioner and found that while it had its center bolt, that someone had not realized that there was a bolt that was supposed to go through the tang (ear) of the tensioner.

I repaired it, put new belt and again, same disaster.....

I replaced the tensioner, thinking that somehow it may have worn from being improperly installed. No change....

I replaced the grooved idler pulley as it had some play in the bearing. No change...

I disconnected the ignition so it would not start and observed the belt as it cranked slowly. As soon as the belt comes off the tensioner pulley to the crankshaft, it jumps ahead one groove. It wants to ride to the back of the waterpump pulley and that is where the belt gets worn out..

It appears that the alternator was recently changed and that is when I assume that the (mechanic) missed the bolt on the tensioner.


I hope that someone could share that they also were frustrated with this similar circumstance and they found.......

Thank you for looking and even more thanks if you can help me find the cure!!!!

Cool! Glad you got it. Keep in mind- that pulley that looks like the waterpump, is not. It's just the fan drive pulley. Some books call it a dummy waterpump as the actual WP is run off the timing belt, burried under the T-belt covers. That dummy waterpump triangular shaped bracket is another common failure item that cracks and sends the serp belt flying.

Joel

If its getting out of alignment around the crank pully it could be a bad harmonic balancer, or the pully wasnt put on correctly. I dont think the '01 models suffer from a crank walk problem but could be wrong.