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i replaced the belt in my car about a year ago and i noticed a noise from it recently. i looked under the hood and parts of it look like it has cracks or scratches like it is about to bust one day. any reason why? can it just wear out for any random reason or does it have to mean that something it’s wrapped around isn’t functioning right? it is wrapped around the alternator, water pump, etc….serious answers only please! thanks

9 Responses

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1. 

   Vinny

   theres a slight chance it could be rubbing against something.. but unlikely.. its also possible it could be off the track a little bit due to it not being tight enough or installed wrong but also a little unlikely.. still possible though but for the most part it may just be normal wear and tear

   September 19, 2011 at 9:58 pm
2. 

   Bob S

   you could have a bad bearing in the alternator that is hanging up. or waterpump. loosen the belt and turn the pulleys to insure they rotate freely.

   September 19, 2011 at 10:14 pm
3. 

   thunderstruck61

   Did you personally replace it? or have a shop? Cause I have seen many shops use cheap belts and hoses to get you to come back. I would suggest go to your local parts store and get a good quality belt, Gates or Goodyear. And have someone you trust put it on.

   September 19, 2011 at 10:22 pm
4. 

   Happy Gramps

   The belt you describe ( that is used to operate all of the accessories like the alternator, power steering, etc ) is called a “serpentine” belt, because it “wraps” around several pulleys, like a snake ( serpent ) would. If it is cracked, then it needs to be replaced very soon, before it breaks when you are driving. It may have been an old belt that the shop had in stock, or just has worn out for other reasons

   September 19, 2011 at 10:34 pm
5. 

   dick car guy

   I know from personal experience there are lots of cheap belts out there, and thats how you tell , they do not last very long. There is a company called gates, they make excellent strong, long lasting belts, and are not expensive. Napa can usually order them Generally if your belt is squealing or binding you can hear it, there is a belt tensioner, and it is possible it was on too tight before (another reason it could wear fast, ) but cracking and splitting is a sign of getting old, or a cheap belt.

   September 19, 2011 at 10:48 pm
6. 

   Roy W

   lol @ guesses above ^

   belts get old. rubber gets stiff. cracks are inevitable. gatorback belts will last longer. it happens to every single vehicle its not about bad mechanics or loose or overtight tensioners (which would squeal to begin with)

   September 19, 2011 at 11:18 pm
7. 

   bell430

   Possible bad quality of part ie autozone yes their parts are cheap but at a cost. If its tearing at the edges it is possible that a pulley is not align right or something is hitting it like a shield or bolt also the the tension of the belt could be wrong too tight or too loose recommend have a mechanic look at it. Belts don’t last long if you are in a dry and really hot place like phoenix az, las vegas etc, specially if they are cheap. Good luck

   September 19, 2011 at 11:54 pm
8. 

   Gene

   it could be the belt has been in store a long time and dry rotted or you have been runing to loose

   September 20, 2011 at 12:16 am
9. 

   Dubidiocho

   They probably scammed you a year ago and didn’t actually replace the belt or you have more than one belt and they replaced one of the others. Never the less, get the worn belt replaced. If the damaged belt is new then some road debris may have flown up and hit it.

   September 20, 2011 at 1:02 am

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