RALREHIPEP

PERIPHERAL
IONTENS
TENSION
PENTISEREN

LEBT
SERPENTINE
BELT
 Prepared by:
REYMART B. TABELISMA
• Discuss the function of serpentine belt in
Vehicle Cooling System;
• Discuss the different methods in testing
serpentine belt tension;
• Perform testing serpentine belt tension;
and
• Value the importance of testing serpentine
belt tension.
• is a single, continuous belt used to drive
multiple peripheral devices in an 
automotive engine, such as an alternator, 
power steering pump, water pump, 
air conditioning compressor, air pump.
• The belt may also be guided by an idler pulley
 and/or a belt tensioner (which may be spring-
loaded, hydraulic, or manual).
• It powers the alternator, power steering
pump, and water pump thru rotating
constantly when car is running.
• Using a pulley system and a tensioner, the
belt uses that rotational power to drive
other parts to run various accessories on
the car.
A.Spotting the signs of a Problem
with the tension
.
B.Inspecting the Belt for Tension I
ssues
C.Using a Gauge to Check Belt Te
nsion
1. Look for a warning light on your dashboar
d.
2. Pay Attention to the Engine’s Temperatur
e Gauge.
3. Listen for Belt Squealing.
4. Take note if your air conditioner or power
steering begin to fail.
5. Check the belt’s tension if pulleys begin t
o fail.
1. Turn the vehicle off and remove the keys
from the ignition.

2. Use a ruler to check the belt’s tension.

3. Check for cracks on the inside of the belt.
4. Look for polished edges on the belt.
5. Check the belt grooves for glazing.
1. Inspect the belt for damage.
2. Locate your vehicle’s specifications.
3. Read the instructions on your tension gauge.
4. Press or pull the gauge into the belt at the
midsection in the largest gap between
pulleys.
5. Compare the number provided by your gauge
to the vehicles specifications.
1. Look for a warning light
on your dashboard.

 The indicator light usually

looks like a rectangle or
the top of a 9 volt battery,
with a minus sign on the
left and a plus sign on the
right.
 This warning light may
also indicate a failing
alternator or a battery that
is no longer holding a
charge.
2. Pay Attention to the Engine’s
Temperature Gauge.
 First sign of a loose serpentine
belt may actually be the vehicle
overheating if it fails to spin the
water pump pulley.
 If at all possible, avoid allowing
the vehicle to overheat, as it
can cause permanent and
expensive damage to the
cylinder head.
 3. Listen for Belt Squealing.
However, a squealing belt
may also be a sign that one of
the accessories it drives is
beginning to fail.
A squeal that begins only
when you start the car cold
may be strong sign a loose
belt.
A squeal the coincides with
the car’s acceleration is also
likely due to a loose belt.
 4. Take note if your air conditioner or
power steering begin to fail.

A lack of cold air from
the air conditioning and
increase in tension in
the steering wheel are
both signs of these
accessories failing.
• Be sure to check the
power steering fluid if
you begin to have
issues with your power
steering.
 5. Check the belt’s tension if pulleys
begin to fail.

You will need to
remove the belt to
replace the damaged
accessories or
pulleys if one fails.
• Ensure you put the
new belt on with the
correct tension,
otherwise more
accessories may fail.
 1. Turn the vehicle off and remove the
keys from the ignition.

Removing the keys from the
ignition is a safety precaution
that could prevent you from
getting hurt or damaging the
vehicle. You may also want to
disconnect the negative
terminal of the battery.
• Serpentine belts move at high
rates of speed and can catch
any loose fitting clothing or
jewelry if you get close while
the engine is running.
 2. Use a ruler to check the belt’s
tension.
 The belt should have about a half
an inch of play when at the
appropriate tightness.
 If there is less than a half an inch,
the belt will need to be loosened, if
there is more, it will need to be
tightened.
 Leaving the ruler over where the
belt was as you press on it can
help make the amount of flex in
the belt more apparent by showing
how far it’s flexing from the ruler.
 3. Check for cracks on the inside of
the belt.

The inside of the
belt is the side with
grooved edges.
• If the belt is
cracked, it will need
to be replaced.
 4. Look for polished edges on
the belt.

If the edges of your
serpentine belt are
shiny, the belt is too
loose and needs to be
tightened.
• If the belt is showing
sign of wear like
polished edges, it
likely will need to be
replaced. A frayed belt
edge, however, means
the belt is misaligned
 5. Check the belt grooves for
glazing.

If the grooves of
the belt have
glazed over, you’ll
need to replace the
belt.

Glazing may occur
in conjunction with
cracking as
described in the
step above.
 1. Inspect the belt for damage.

You may still want to
check the tension of a
damaged belt if you need
to drive the vehicle to get
repaired.
• It is not recommended
that you operate a vehicle
with a damaged, loose, or
severely worn serpentine
belt
 2. Locate your vehicle’s
specifications
• In order to use a tension gauge properly, you’ll
need to know the specific manufacturer’s
specifications for belt tension. This information
can often be found in the vehicle’s owner’s
manual or in certified repair manuals for your
specific year, make and model.
• If you do not have the owner’s manual for your
vehicle, you may be able to find the
specifications on the manufacturer’s website.
 3. Read the instructions on your
tension gauge.

Some tension gauges
work my pushing on the
belt, while others work
by pulling on it.
• Your specific tension
gauge will provide
instructions as to how
best to use it to get the
best reading.
 4. Press or pull the gauge into the belt at
the midsection in the largest gap
between pulleys.

If your specific gauge
instructs you to do
otherwise, disregard
this step.

Slow steady pressure
(when pushing or
pulling) is the best way
to get an accurate
reading from your
gauge.
 5. Compare the number provided by your
gauge to the vehicles specifications.

Some vehicles have an auto-
tensioner pulley. If your
vehicle has one and the belt
is too loose, the pulley itself
may need to be replaced.

Other vehicles may allow
you to adjust the tension on
the belt by loosening the
alternator bolts and
adjusting its positioning.
 It is used to drive multiple peripheral
devices in an Automotive Engine. 4
1
5
3
2
A Serpentine Belt B Tension

C Pulley D Cooling fans

tekhnologic
 Which of the following is NOT
considered as a peripheral
devices drive by serpentine belt?
5
4
3
2
1
A Alternator B Stereo

C Steering Pump D Water Pump

tekhnologic
 The following statement is the function
of Serpentine Belt EXCEPT. 3
1
5
4
2
It powers the alternator, power Uses that rotational power to
A steering pump, and water
pump thru rotating constantly
when car is running.
B drive other parts to run
various accessories on the car

It drives the It drive peripheral

C transmission thru
gear rotation. D devices in
automotive engines.

tekhnologic
• Group your self into 3 then
create an INFOGRAPHICS
containing a Information
about the Different Methods
in Testing Serpentine Belt
Tension.