{"id":35621,"date":"2016-08-08T12:45:37","date_gmt":"2016-08-08T17:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freeautomechanic.com\/mechanic\/forum\/?p=35621"},"modified":"2016-08-08T12:45:37","modified_gmt":"2016-08-08T17:45:37","slug":"belt-broke-1997-ford-escort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeautomechanic.com\/mechanic\/forum\/2016\/08\/belt-broke-1997-ford-escort","title":{"rendered":"Belt Broke 1997 Ford Escort"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1997I have a 1997 ford escort and was hearing a noise that the mechanic said was the spring or bearings inside one of the pulleys. I’m not sure which was the issue, the spring or bearings.\u00a0 So I replaced the whole setup pulleys and tensioner. Before I could get to the carport I smelled hot melting rubber. After letting it cool down I could see smoke coming from the belt and it was hot. After getting it put back together, I started it and sounded good for couple minutes then the belt broke. Any idea what made it hot and break the belt?<\/p>\n

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RESPONSE<\/p>\n

Most likely reason would be a locked up pulley or accessory. The accessories being the power steering pump, air conditioning compressor or alternator. The Air conditioning compressor or alternator would be the most common. With the belt broke already I would check these accessories before installing a new serpentine belt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Try to spin them by hand. If they are locked up, the issue is found. Some of the pulleys may sounds off if an internal bearing is going out. These may need to be replaced but unless really worn out would not cause the belt to break. Only a locked up pulley or accessory would cause the belt to break. What happens when the belt slides over the locked up accessory component, it creates friction\/heat and burns the belt in two.<\/p>\n

Belt Broke – 1997 Ford Escort Serpentine Belt Replacement<\/h3>\n

Removal<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"belt<\/p>\n

Relieve the drive belt<\/span> tension.<\/p>\n