Drive Belt: Testing and Inspection

Accessory Drive Belt

Component Test

NOTE: Under no circumstances should the accessory drive belt, tensioner or pulleys have any fluids or belt dressing applied to them as damage to the belt material and tensioner damping mechanism may occur.

1. NOTE: Belt Tensioner With Belt Length Indicator - 3.5L Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing).
Check that the belt length indicator, if equipped, on the belt tensioner is in the acceptable belt installation and wear range. If the indicator is in the belt replacement range, either an incorrect belt is installed or the belt is worn beyond the service limit. Install a new belt as necessary. REFER to Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) - Exploded View .





1. Belt length indicator
2. Acceptable belt installation and wear range
3. Belt replacement range
4. Belt tension relief point

2. NOTE: All vehicles.
Check the accessory drive belt for correct installation. Non-standard accessory drive belts can track differently or incorrectly with a result in performance failure or loss of the drive belt. If an accessory drive belt tracks incorrectly, install a new accessory drive belt. REFER to Accessory Drive Belt - 2.0L GTDI or REFER to Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) - Exploded View .
Incorrect Installation




Correct Installation





3. With the engine running, check accessory drive belt tracking on all pulleys. If the edge of the accessory drive belt rides beyond the edge of the pulleys, noise and premature wear will occur. Make sure the accessory drive belt rides correctly on the pulley. If an accessory drive belt tracking condition exists, proceed with the following:

- Visually check the accessory drive belt tensioner for damage and wear, especially the mounting pad surface and arm alignment. If the accessory drive belt tensioner is not installed correctly, the mounting surface pad will be out of position. If the tensioner arm is worn, the arm will be out of alignment. Either of these conditions will result in chirp and squeal noises.

- With the engine running, visually observe the grooves in the pulleys (not the pulley flanges or the pulley forward faces) for excessive wobble. Install new components as necessary.

- Check all accessories, mounting brackets and the accessory drive belt tensioner for any interference that would prevent the component from mounting correctly. Correct any interference condition and recheck the accessory drive belt tracking.

- Tighten all accessories, mounting brackets and accessory drive belt tensioner retaining hardware to specification. Recheck the accessory drive belt tracking.