GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Aids

Excessive wear on a drive belt(s) is usually caused by incorrect installation or the incorrect drive belt(s) for the application.

Minor misalignment of the accessory drive pulley(s) will not cause excessive wear, but will probably cause the drive belt(s) to make a noise or fall off.

Excessive misalignment of the accessory drive pulley(s) will cause excessive wear and may also make the drive belt(s) fall off.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step(s) in the diagnostic table.

  1. This inspection is to verify that the drive belt(s) is correctly installed on all of the accessory drive pulley(s). Wear on the drive belt(s) may be caused by mis-positioning the drive belt(s) by one or more grooves on a pulley(s).

  2. The installation of a drive belt(s) that is too wide or too narrow will cause wear on the drive belt(s). The drive belt(s) ribs should match all of the grooves on the pulleys.

  3. This inspection is to verify the drive belt(s) is not contacting any part of the engine or body while the engine is operating. There should be sufficient clearance when the accessory drive components load varies. The drive belt(s) should not come in contact with an engine or a body component when snapping the throttle.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Notice: Do not use belt dressing on the drive belt. Belt dressing causes the breakdown of the composition of the drive belt. Failure to follow this recommendation will damage the drive belt.

DEFINITION: Wear at the outside ribs of the drive belt(s) due to an incorrect installation of the drive belt(s).

1

Did you review the Symptoms - Engine Mechanical diagnostic information, and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical

2

Inspect the drive belt(s) for proper installation.

Is the drive belt(s) installed properly?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

Inspect for the correct drive belt(s).

Is the correct drive belt(s) installed?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect the drive belt(s) for signs of rubbing against a bracket, hose, or wiring harness.

Was the drive belt(s) rubbing against anything?

Go to Step 6

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Replace the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory or Air Conditioning Compressor Belt Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 6

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6

Run the engine in order to verify the repair.

Is there still excessive drive belt wear?

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System OK