Serpentine Belt

[Ldub]

Ldub to the rescue!! So, I attempted some online research and failed...epically. How do you remedy this problem if it is indeed the culprit? I'm also wondering what would cause this problem..thanx Ldub!

I dunno about all that... You aren't outta the woods quite yet. That was just a possible cause of the problem.

Look at all the pulleys that the serp belt travels with the motor running, see any runout/signs of a bent pulley?

With the motor off, do any of the pulleys seem "out of plane" when viewed from the side, visually lining up as many pulleys as possible with each other.

Think of all the pulley faces as one flat/straight line, no pulley should be out of this plane.

It's possible one of the pulleys has worked it's way loose, & has moved out on the shaft slightly, causing the belt to deflect from it's intended path.

Try putting the belt back on, then bump the starter (without starting the engine) while another person watches to see which pulley the belt comes off first.

Always keep fingers away from moving parts, especially fans, belts & pulleys...

[JNUVX]

I am going into the shop tomorrow...well...7hrs from now. I think that your recommendation will be the first order of business. On the initial examination we noticed the 'water pump wheel' was a little further towards the radiator than the rest...also...I can't fully express how nice it is to have someone here to talk to. Even at this late hour..when my mechanically inclined but mechanically uneducated brain is stressin ..I'll keep this thread updated...I'm wondering now how a pulley would work itself out of alignment now...

[Ldub]

"On the initial examination we noticed the 'water pump wheel' was a little further towards the radiator than the rest..."

That would do it...


"also...I can't fully express how nice it is to have someone here to talk to."

No worries, I'm here on & off from midnight - 0800 central time, five nights a week (Fr - Tu)...

It gives me something to do at work...

[JNUVX]

Ack. So according to my mech, the water pump wheel would not go back into place and he didn't want to force it for fear of breaking anything. The wheel will have to be replaced...nooo! Anyone have ideas on where I could get a new water pump wheel??? Or if there's a fix someone knows of??

[Ldub]

If your VX is anywhere near 65-80 k on the odo, your timing belt is due to be replaced soon anyway, replace the water pump when that's done.
All the same stuff has to be removed either way...

[JNUVX]

I am in agreement w/you Ldub. After I looked at it this morning the mech said the cast aluminum water pulley bracket is what needs to be replaced (about $320 + shipping from Seattle, WA to Juneau, AK agh!). He was unable to realign the pulley and didn't want to force it for fear of breaking it entirely. It almost looks as if someone had done the timing belt and tried to remove the pulley attachment off the bracket....my mech also noted that this wasn't a recent change in pulley alignment which means i've been driving around w/a 3ridged serpentine belt instead of 5 ridges. Weird..and quite ignorant of me. Anyways, i'm hesitant to drive the vx anywhere until I get the bracket installed...I guess i'm learning the hard way. Anyone know of where to find a bracket for less? And again thanks ldub.

[etlsport]

Just a word of caution..some of the new kevlar and other non rubber belts don't crack but they do still wear.

One of our suppliers gave us a few tools that looks like a toothpick that kinda measures how deep the grooves are in the belts. When they are too deep its time to replace.

[BeeVenom]

Gonna replace mine soon at around 40000. Suggest you purchase the Isuzu OEM belt as I did. They're not expensive and are not too difficult to replace. Just takes a little time.

[Bulldoggie]

Just want to comment that I just replaced mine and;
It is easy to change by hand if you are using the 5060900 size belt.
I was told that different numbers showed on their computers for the VX.
Of course I told them that all VX's are equiped the same.
My old belt had the 4060895 # and I could remove and reinstall by hand.
BUT I could not put a 4060895 NEW belt on by hand.
About 1/2 the thickness of the belt would not clear the last pully.
There is a 1/2" difference in length between the two belts.