serpentine belt routing problems

[ky_runner]

Hey Guys (and Gals?) ,

Long time lurker first time poster. First of all, let me say that I love this site. I've been checking out posts, pictures and gaining info here for almost a year Thumbs up on this site! (and yes I did use the search function before posting this) :guitar3:

Now for my issue. I'm sure by now you have already gathered this information, but let me throw it out there anyway. I am not the most handy guy with a wrench. I have done the basics (oil changes and plugs). I started to attempt to change my serpentine belt by myself too, but I chickened out.

Took it to my local service station and let them change it. I was worried that I would not route the belt correctly and that I might do more damage than good. Well... you guessed it. I took it to the shop and THEY routed the belt incorrectly. :redbrick:

When I first went to pick it up, they told me that it was squeaking and that they thought it was a pulley bearing. I started it up and sure enough a strange squeaking noise for about 3 seconds and then it went away. I accepted my bad fortune and began backing my runner out. Then I noticed that I had no power steering. I looked at my gages and saw that the battery light was on. I immediately put it in park and went back in to talk to them. They kept it overnight and fixed it this morning, admitting that they had incorrectly routed the new belt.

Things seem to be fine now, but there is radiator fluid inside the engine compartment, and some slight wear on the wrong side of the belt.

Thanks in advance,
KY_runner

2005 4runner V6 90K miles

 

[Awz]

Let me start by saying Welcome. I also have to say, I'm impressed they actually got it to fit routed the wrong way. Usually they're routed in such a way to make it nearly impossible. For the coolant I wouldn't be too worried, unless it's leaving a puddle, they may have topped off the coolant, spilled some, and simply didn't clean it up. As I recall, those belts actually run pulleys on both sides of the belt (correct me if I'm wrong). So there really is no "wrong side" of the belt. Both sides will wear out.

Mike

 

[TechWrench]

Let me start by saying Welcome. I also have to say, I'm impressed they actually got it to fit routed the wrong way. Usually they're routed in such a way to make it nearly impossible. For the coolant I wouldn't be too worried, unless it's leaving a puddle, they may have topped off the coolant, spilled some, and simply didn't clean it up. As I recall, those belts actually run pulleys on both sides of the belt (correct me if I'm wrong). So there really is no "wrong side" of the belt. Both sides will wear out.

Mike

Actually, there is a 'working' (ribbed) side of the belt, and the back (smooth) side of the belt. The ribbed side is the only side to engage any driven pulleys (A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump, water pump (fan), and crank (which actually drives everything else). The smooth side only contacts idler pulleys which serve to provide routing and belt tension, they are not driven to do any work.

 

[ky_runner]

Thanks for the input guys. Just to update, I haven't noticed any problems resulting from this issue and I don't think the belt is worn bad enough to shorten its life span.

 

[stelmatch]

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