Serp. belt help......

[rmil]

I replaced the serp belt on my 2001 Impala, but it jumps off the pulleys every time I try to start the engine, even replaced the tensioner and pulley, thinking that was the problem....any suggestions?

[oldblu65]

Did you replace the belt exactly as shown ( for belt routing ) on the decal on the radiator support ?

[rmil]

I followed the diagram, and there is what seems to me, plenty of tension on the belt....however, the pulley on the tensioner is not in line with the belt....it's 1/2 way on.....this is how the old belt was before I replaced it, but does not seem right. I also do not see a way to adjust the pulleys to better line up........Totally lost right now!

[oldblu65]

Is this the 3.4 or 3.8 engine ?

[jdl]

Do the pulleys line up with each other, they should. That tensioner should line up, in my opinion. Maybe there is a spacer missing?

With the belt off, no pulleys froze? The pulleys don't wobble or anything?

[rmil]

It's the 3.4....and all pulleys spin freely, no wobbles, But they do not all line up exactly. They are close (within 1/4 inch or so) but the tensioner pulley only rests on 1/2 or less of the belt (that is how it was on the old belt also) but the old belt ran without jumping off??

[procaddytech]

Check to make sure the power steering pulley is flush with the pump shaft where it presses on and see if the balancer is separating.

[rmil]

everything looks good, pulley is tight against the power steering pump, and spins freely....

[JohnT396]

I had a similar problem and the problem was the idler/tension pulley. Bad bearings were causing the belt not to track properly. Good Luck

[Ed_Strong]

Have someone else start the engine while you watch the pullies turn to see which is causing the belt to jump.

Did you make sure you got the right belt for your engine?

Did you compared it to the old one to match their lenght?