Squeaks and Smoke

[soccerstar1984]

2003 Monte Carlo SS: New to most fixes on a car, i have changed oil, brake pads, rotors, and added a K&N air filter, but i will try to fix this if i can figure out what it is.

On my way to work i noticed my car was squeeking near the engine. As i entered the parking lot, smoke started to come out from under the hood. I dove into a parking spot and the squeak was a constant squeel now. Shut off the car and opened the hood and let all the smoke out.

Could not tell where it was comming from at the time, but it smelled like burning rubber. I am guessing it is a belt, not sure which one. Is there an easy way to figure it out besides starting the car and waiting for it to smoke again?

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, there is only one belt, the serpentine belt. Remove the belt and turn all the affected pulleys by hand including the ac pulley to see which one is frozen or binding.

[soccerstar1984]

Ok, my old car had 3 belts thats why i asked how to see which one it is.

So its a frozen pulley if i cannot turn it? If i take off the belt, dont i need a tool to put it back on, so there is not so much tension on the belt and i can get it over all the pulleys?

Is there a safe way to get the car home? About 5 miles of 25-35 mph driving?

[inafogg]

no special tool to remove/install belt.you will need wrench or some have a square for a 3/8 ratchet to move tensioner.i would say no on driving it until you no whats going on.if its a siezed pulley belt will snap & car will OVER HEAT

[maxwedge]

A 5/8 or 15MM, I believe, will get onto the tensioner pulley bolt and allow you to back out the belt.

[soccerstar1984]

I ended up getting the car towed to the dealership and had them fix it. THey used an aftermarket pulley assembly and just replaced the pulley for $38 instead of buying the OEM part which was over $280.

I tried to move it out of the parking spot to get it on the tow truck and the serpentine belt snapped too, but it was getting time to replace that anyways.

Thanks for the help.