Serpentine belt problems

[Jackrabbit41]

Today on my way home from school my serpentine belt broke in half again. This happened about a month ago as well. What could be going wrong? Both time I was in the middle of a small drift if that does anything.also both times it's been a really wet rainy day

[daking]

I've never seen one split like that. I have seen them pop off. Check pulley alignments, make sure all the pulleys are equal. If one is just a bit further in or out, it will stress the belt.

 

Could be something grabbing too, like PS, ALT, AC, FAN or Waterpump.  

[onlyinajeep726]

Tensioned too tight?  All your pulleys running true (no wobble)?

[Jackrabbit41]

Tensioned too tight? All your pulleys running true (no wobble)?

I think I've been doin them too tight because the break is really clean and straight

[HOrnbrod]

Rent a serp belt tension gauge tool from Autozone or similar, use it, then memorize the force it takes to rotate the belt 90* with your fingers. Then you will have no probs with the next one.

[1987Comanche]

Saw this happen once on a Ford pickup.  The reman alternator was missing a washer (spacer) behind the pulley so there was a slight pulley misalignment.  It would run for 2-3 weeks, then randomly shred the belt. Took about 3 belts to figure it out.

[75sv1]

I'd also check the idler pulley as for the bearings being good. I did throw a belt a few weeks back. It was mainly that the PS Pump pulley was bent. I did run over a year like that. I stopped at the Trash dump and heard a racket. Someone else commented on it. I turned off the motor. Looked under the hood. Saw some fluid on the ground, it was oil. I didn't drive far and then had no power steering and overheated. Anyways, the belt came off. I limped home, letting the engine cool off. Replaced the water pump, coolant, belt and the PS pulley. Then noticed the idler pulley was a bit off. It runs fine now. Got lucky on the motor.