One of the parts that must be maintained regularly is a car’s fan belt. This car part is usually located at the very front of the engine compartment, between the radiator and the engine block. The fan belt, or more traditionally known as the drive belt, is made of reinforced, high-tensile strength cords and synthetic rubber designed to handle the pressure of running at high RPMs. Its main function is to provide power to the car accessories mounted to the engine such as the power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, mechanical cooling fan and air injection pump.
You’ll notice your fan belt loosening when the car is losing power while you’re using it. Another sign is the radio or the lights begin to dim or don’t function well. You may notice that driving the car starts to get rough and even though you step on the accelerator completely, the car will only push for 30 to 40 miles per hour. These are just some of the signs your car’s fan belt is loosening. If you find your fan belt is already faulty, we can help.
Here are some easy steps to tighten your loose fan belt:
1. Check first your owner’s manual for any information about your car’s fan belt.
2. Organize your tools, which consist of a wrench, screwdriver, heavy-duty scissors and a cloth to remove loose grit.
3. Think of the best way to hold the belt in its place firmly while you remove the nut with the use of a wrench. A good suggestion would be inserting a screwdriver between the holes of the pulley but not against the fan belt itself. Carefully set aside the nut after you remove it.
4. Take the cloth and use it to remove any excess grit, dirt and debris from the fan belt and the belt assembly.
5. Inspect the belt for any signs of wear, cracks, breaks, irregularities or damage. If you do see any sign of permanent damage, you can purchase a new fan belt.
6. Locate the shims, small black rings along the belt assembly, and remove one by using a pair of heavy-duty scissors.
7. After removing a single shim, check the tautness and the distance of each shim from each other.
8. Replace the nut on the adjusting bolt and tighten it.
9. Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes and then turn it off again. This step determines the performance of the belt after tightening it.
10. Recheck the belt’s tightness.
If you still have any problems or concerns about your fan belt, you can bring your car to our local garage.