1995 Jimmy Belt Or????

[doccar]

Hello. I need HELP....In March, I had the rear main seal replaced. Power steering pump was replaced at same time. Pumps faulty. 4th pump ok. Serpentine belt snapped the next day. Garage replaced for nil. No explanation...something they did or did not do, for sure. Then experienced 'belt slap" and squealing. Slap when vehicle first started, squealing after engine warm. Tensioner replaced. Problem the same. Finally clutch fan blamed. 4 clutch fans later, as the part was not tooled properly according to GM. 4th clutch fan ok....until later. Belt slap, which actually sounds like a clacking, has occured again. Though not everytime, when vehicle first started. This Sat. it lasted for 20 minutes. The squealing is back but not as loud after engine is warm. Vehicle doesn't do it everytime now but it's still there. When I get underneath with engine running, it seems to emanate from the bottom pulley. What is going on here. Belt, harmonic balancer, clutch fan, tensioner......???????? Please Help...I and my garage are losing it. Thanks.

[94 Jimmy]

Have you checked to make sure that all of the pullies are inline, so that the belt is running straight. I had a friend who had a water pump replaced, the replacement had the pully 3/8" forward of all of the others. Each time around the belt had to jump out then back which wore the belt and caused squeeling.
Also check the alignment indicators on the tensioner. When I replaced mine, the parts house gave me the wrong belt, there are two possible in the 94, either K060938 or K060956, meaning 6 rib either 938 or 956 cm long. The belt was too long, and caused alternator squeel after start until the battery charged. The tensioner has an arrow on the movable part and two line cast into the engine side. This is to indicate belt streach, make sure that you are within the limits then mark it with a marker and check it from time to time.
In any case if your having to replace parts 3 or 4 times, you are either using inferior parts or someone is just shotgunning.
Good luck, let us know what you find.
94

[doccar]

Thank you very much. I am familar with all four of the options presented. Your reply has corroborated these. I shall go forth. I have a hunch that all are present. On a visual, from top to bottom, I percieve the belt not running on the pulleys totally accurately. Something is amiss for sure. I will let you know how it all goes. Most appreciative, doccar

[doccar]

Hello. Another question. I see the marks on the tensioner.... how does this indicate belt stretch? what is the correct setting? where should the arrows and the indents align? Thanks.