QuestionQUESTION: I have a 96 Celica GT and the belt slipped off but when my ex went to put it back on, he noticed the pully was out a lined, so he put the belt on and when he started the car, the pully slipped completely off.. HOW hard is it to fix? Is there a bolt.. is this something that can be done without taking it to a mechanic if I know someone with thetools? Please help.. I am a girl w no experience!! Thank you for you time.. Chris
ANSWER: The serpentine belt is kept taut by a spring loaded idler pulley. The belt may be old and need replacing due to being stretched. Inspect the belt for integrity; are rubber pieces missing, do the edges appear frayed, etc. Changeout the belt if suspect.
The spring on the pulley may be defective and no longer able to keep the belt tight. If this is the case, replace the pulley. NOTE: If the pulley has an adjustment bolt then tighten the bolt until the belt deflection is within prescribed limits (Refer to a Haynes manual for your model)
Hope this helps
Vince
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your quick reply. He did say afterwards that when he went to getthe pulley from the under carriage that he felt a bolt as he was trying to put it back in place to redo the belt. So, my next question would be..is the actual pulley supposed to be welded or attached somehow to the car itsself?
Seeing how it fell off after he put it back up where it goes, I dont know what to tell him.
Thank you again.
Chris
AnswerThere is a bracket which the idler pulley is mounted to. This bracket is BOLTED to the engine by 2 or 3 bolts. On the pulley itself, there is an adjusting bolt for loosening or tightening the belt.
The bolts that hold the bracket to the engine may be of different lengths, widths, etc.; please ask your ex to ensure he keeps track of which one is which.
If you replace the belt make sure the idler pulley is loosened enough to get the new belt on, then tighten it per manufacturers spec.
Hope this helps. Write again if you need more assistance.
Vince
