my belt came off again help please

[eric v6]

Okay about a month ago it rained and I drove through the rain it wasn't to high and my belt came off. That made it hard for me to turn my wheel I took it to a mechanic and he wouldn't let me watch him put it on and it only took 5 minutes he charged me 40 dollars. Now I am stuck with the same problem and I have the money to pay him but I would rather do it myself. There was a tool that he had when he put it on I haven't replaced the belt at all so maybe I need a new belt that will grip and hold better.


I just need someone to help me out so I can put this thing back on and learn how to do it permantley any help will be greatly appreciated by the way my car is a 98 camaro

[99 Camaro SuperSix]

Re: my belt came off again help please

there should be a diagram on the shock tower. If you have a socket wrench that will fit on the tensioner. route the belt around everything except the alt. then push the ten. down and put on the alt. takes less than 2 min.

[99 Camaro SuperSix]

Re: my belt came off again help please

You might want to get a new tensioner.

[eric v6]

Re: my belt came off again help please

shock tower whats that and how much is a new tensioner

[99 Camaro SuperSix]

Re: my belt came off again help please

shock tower whats that and how much is a new tensioner

A tensioner I would think would run about 15-30 dollars

there is diagram for the belt routing under the hood just look around prob. on the drivers side

[eric v6]

Re: my belt came off again help please

just put it back on myself thanks dude I owe you I can't believe that I actually paid 40 dollars the first time for this I put my belt back on in 10 minutes and it was my first time thanks. Would you recommend a new belt or anything to keep this from happening again

[David8399]

Re: my belt came off again help please

A tensioner I would think would run about 15-30 dollars

there is diagram for the belt routing under the hood just look around prob. on the drivers side

the tensioner is over $100 the pulley is like $15-30

[fellowtraveler87]

Re: my belt came off again help please

haha yeah our cars are a snap to replace the serp belt. now there are other cars that I'd think $40 installation to be a bargain

[99 Camaro SuperSix]

Re: my belt came off again help please

Would you recommend a new belt or anything to keep this from happening again

I say you need a new tensioner. That is what puts the pressure on the belt keeping it on.

[eric v6]

Re: my belt came off again help please

the problem is when it floods I drive through the water and it comes off thats the only time it comes off

[greasemonkey]

Re: my belt came off again help please

Google a belt swap. Seriously, its the easiest thing in the world ESPECIALLY on a 3800/3400. The tensioner for my 87 bonneville ran me 150 bucks, get a new belt, maybe a shorter one, check the tension on it too, you shouldn't have more than 1/2 inch play.

[OneEightSeven]

Re: my belt came off again help please

the problem is when it floods I drive through the water and it comes off thats the only time it comes off

Haha I see you are in houston too, nice storm we had last night :). Yea the flooding is a ***** aint it. I would almost think you are some how lubricating your belt with the water and it slips off. But you would have to go through some deep *** water, which is always a bad idea especially with our cars and houston flooding. I park my car where I know it's too high to flood at my apartment, I've seen more than one car drown before in our lot :(.