serpentine belt squeaking and slipping off?

1986 BUICK RIVIERA

126,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

JEANNA IVERSON

MEMBER
1 POST
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I have had the car for 5 years and the belt has always squeaked a lot. Overheated the same day I got it, and they replaced the radiator. Still had same squeaks and won't start if sits for more than 2-3 days. I figure with the slipping of the belt; it isn't recharging enough. I don't have A/C on the car, so I need a belt size that will work. I had a new belt put on a year ago and took away most of the squeaks but a little came back just recently, and I stalled and found the lower radiator hose was off. Put back on, filled with antifreeze/water and drove it a few more short trips to town and lost all power and found serpentine belt a few blocks back... I'm wondering if I need a water pump? Maybe tensioner pulley?

Feb 21, 2023 at 11:18 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

CERTIFIED EXPERT
110,175 POSTS

Hi,

Have you bypassed the ac compressor? If you have, the belt you have may simply be too big.

Here is what I suggest. Remove the serpentine belt and spin all belt-driven pullies by hand. See if there is resistance or noise from any of them. All should be easily turned other than the crankshaft pulley.

I attached a pic below showing the belt routing. Make sure it is installed correctly and that the pulleys are inline.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Image (Click to enlarge)

Feb 21, 2023 at 9:10 PM