Diagnostic Aids
The accessory drive components can have an affect on engine vibration. Vibration from the engine operating may cause a body component or another part of the vehicle to make rumbling noise. Vibration can be caused by, but not limited to the A/C system over charged, the power steering system restricted or the incorrect fluid, or an extra load on the generator. To help identify an intermittent or an improper condition, vary the loads on the accessory drive components.
The drive belt may have a rumbling condition that can not be seen or felt. Sometimes replacing the drive belt may be the only repair for the symptom.
If replacing the drive belt, completing the diagnostic table, and the noise is only heard when the drive belts are installed, there might be an accessory drive component with a failure. Varying the load on the different accessory drive components may aid in identifying which component is causing the rumbling noise.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
- 2. This test is to verify that the symptom is present during diagnosing. Other vehicle components may cause a similar symptom.
- 3. This test is to verify that one of the drive belts is causing the rumbling noise or vibration. Rumbling noise may be confused with an internal engine noise due to the similarity in the description. Remove only one drive belt at a time if the vehicle has multiple drive belts. When removing the drive belts the water pump may not be operating and the engine may overheat. Also DTCs may set when the engine is operating with the drive belts removed.
- 4. Inspecting the drive belts is to ensure that they are not causing the noise. Small cracks across the ribs of the drive belt will not cause the noise. Belt separation is identified by the plys of the belt separating and may be seen at the edge of the belt our felt as a lump in the belt.
- 5. Small amounts of pilling is normal condition and acceptable. When the pilling is severe the drive belt does not have a smooth surface for proper operation.
- 9. Inspecting of the fasteners can eliminate the possibility that the wrong bolt, nut, spacer, or washer was installed.
- 11. This step should only be performed if the water pump is driven by the drive belt. Inspect the water pump shaft for being bent. Also inspect the water pump bearings for smooth operation and excessive play. Compare the water pump with a known good water pump.
- 12. Accessory drive component brackets that are bent, cracked, or loose may put extra strain on that accessory component causing it to vibrate.
Step | Action | Yes | No | ||||||||||||||||
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Caution: Refer to Belt Dressing Caution in the Preface section. DEFINITION: The following items are indications of drive belt rumbling:
DEFINITION: The following items are indications of drive belt vibration:
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1 | Did you review the Drive Belt Symptom operation and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Verify that there is a rumbling noise or that the vibration is engine related. | ||||||||||||||||||
Does the engine make the rumbling noise or vibration? | Go to Step 3 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |||||||||||||||||
3 |
If the engine has multiple drive belts, remove the belts one at a time and perform the test below each time a belt is removed. | Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical or | |||||||||||||||||
Does the rumbling or vibration still exist? | Vibration Analysis - Engine | Go to Step 4 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Inspect the drive belts for wear, damage, separation, sections of missing ribs, and debris build-up. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you find any of these conditions? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 5 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Inspect for severe pilling of more than 1/3 of the drive belt pulley grooves. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you find severe pilling? | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 7 | |||||||||||||||||
6 |
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Did you correct the condition? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 7 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Install a new drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 9 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 9 | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Inspect for improper, loose or missing fasteners. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you find any of these conditions? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 11 | |||||||||||||||||
10 |
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.
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Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 11 | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Inspect for a bent water pump shaft. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 12 | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Inspect for bent or cracked brackets. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. | ||||||||||||||||||
Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 | |||||||||||||||||
