So a couple weeks ago I changed the serpentine belt. All of a sudden a couple days ago it started making an awful squealing noise. Took it to a friends shop and they said, well water pump is going out. Got a new one and put it in, started it up and there it was. Still squealing. I have now found that when I replaced the serpentine belt it was not put on right, making the squealing. I now have it on right but it will not stay. Soon as you turn it over it jumps over a tooth on the PAS. Is there something wrong with the power steering maybe? Not sure what would cause it to jump like this. Any help would be appreciated. I will post a picture soon as I can. Thanks in advance.

 

Do you have Ace? Did you buy the correct length? The Ace model will be longer. If the correct belt then you may need to replace your tensioner pulley. Does you PAS pump turn?

 

Have you checked the indicator on the tensioner to make sure the belt is tight enough?

 

Either you have the wrong belt or your tensioner is bad.

 

ok figured it out, the power steering was going out, the shaft of the power steering was sticking out almost an quarter of an inch. Got the power steering replaced. But I am wondering where the indicator on the tensioner is, does anybody have a picture of the indicator or maybe be able to explain where its at. Thanks

 

I am having the same issue with my 2001 except I don't have any squealing. I just finished the Head Gasket job, put on a new serpentine belt in the process and after my first quick highway run I heard a ticking noise like I sucked a leaf up near the fan. Stopped and opened the hood and the inside of the belt was shredded.

I have done a visual check and run my hand along the side of the belt closest to the block and there is nothing protruding. Then I noticed that the belt was two grooves in towards the block on the PAS pulley. I used a pry bar on the tensioner and moved the belt back into place on the PAS Pulley and started the engine back up. Everything seems fine, no rubbing noise (only parts of the inside of the belt had shredded), the belt looks like it has good tension, no squealing when turning the wheel or a/c compressor on. Then from under the hood I gave the engine some throttle and watched the belt jump back over on the PAS pulley again.

I have a replacement belt coming in the mail since no one local stocks the belt for ACE, but need to figure out what the problem is first.

Does anyone have information on how to check the tensioner or suggestions on what else to look at?

 

Sounds to me like your belt tensioner is bad.
I do not know how to test it.

 

I agree, the belt tensioner is probably weak and not holding enough tension on the belt.
I would also replace both idler pullies which are prone to failing.

 

No dice.

Replaced the tensioner and both idler pulleys and now the new belt doesn't even wait until I rev the engine, it jumps over on the power steering pulley as soon as I start it up.

I have attached a photo of the pulleys and belt. The PAS pump pulley definitely sticks out further than the ACE pulley as you can see from the gap and how the belt is on the idler. The PAS pulley seems to be in line with the crank and water pump pulleys though.

 

If you have the issue I had above, save yourself the embarassment and make sure the Power Steering pulley isn't on backwards