Duncan_GT

So went to start my car this morning. Fired up fine, but had this god awful screeching sound coming from the belt. I jumped out and looked, and my serpentine belt isn't spinning at all. Just smoking. A lot. I'm in the midst of trying to find the correct socket to release the tensioner (If anybody knows how, I would be happy to know). What would cause the belt not to spin? Granted, I've never changed the belt since I've owned the car, and put about 40k miles on it. So perhaps its the belt just kicking the bucket?

Five0hFox

I'd suspect like something locked up. There's a spot where you can put either a 3/8 or 1/2 ratchet (can't remember) (no socket on it). Stick it in there and rotate. Once you have the belt off spin your accessory pulleys until you find which one locked up.

rmodel65

probably either the smog pump locked up or the powersteering those would be the 2 biggest culprits

StalkerGT

I was gonna say the smog pump...I had one lock up and snap the belt

Duncan_GT

Yep you guys nailed it with the smog pump. It's locked up. The belt needs replaced anyways so I've already taken it off. I'll get a new belt and bypass the smog, do you guys know the correct belt length? I'm 95% sure its 92.2 inch

dawson1112

Run a length of string around it tie it tight then remove it and measure the string Usually you can subtract a half inch or even an inch from the string. I usually get the string measurement then go to autozone and get about 3 different sizes smaller than the measurement I got from the string, then just return the belts you couldn't use.

Duncan_GT

I'm almost wondering if this is what's been giving the car a sh***y idle. The past couple weeks, at idle the car's electrical components (heater, fog lights, interior lights, headlights, rear defroster) would all bog down. I've kept thinking it was the alternator, but I had it tested and they said it was fine. Could a seizing pump cause this? If the pump is getting harder to turn, that would cause the car to bog, yeah?

Are seizing/failing smog pumps a common occurrence? I've never read much into it since 90% of the guys delete them to begin with.

Duncan_GT

I was searching through the forums before I posted; it was your original thread that led me to think something was locked up.

StalkerGT

Glad to hear you figured it out! One less thing to run lol

BabyGT