Q: Serpentine belt keeps shredding.

asked by on July 20, 2016

Serpentine belt began to shred earlier this evening. Got it home, replaced the belt and drove less than mile and the belt shredded again.

My car has 150000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement $111.60 - $349.96 Get a Quote

The belt will get cut or shredded by pulley alignment or seized pulley bearings. The alignment of the pulleys should be checked. The tensioner pulley is the most common one to be out of alignment or the bearing to seize first. Have all pulleys bearings checked and replaced as needed and any misaligned pulleys fixed as needed.

I’d suggest getting this looked at by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, who can perform checks on these components. They will be able to pinpoint the issue and ensure a proper replacement of the serpentine belt.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I replace a license plate light bulb?
Your car has two small bulbs that light up the license plate for visibility (this is a legal requirement in most areas). Like other bulbs on your car, they’ll eventually burn out and need to be replaced. However, they should...
How do I change a tire if I have a flat?
Spend enough time driving and it’s going to happen – you’re going to get a flat tire. It happens to all of us eventually. Knowing what to do will make the process less stressful and frustrating. Here’s what you should...
Problem with convertible top.
On an electric convertible top system the usual causes for failure are the switch, the motor(s), or something broken causing a bind in the mechanics of the retractable top. It is easiest to start with a visual inspection of the...
How do I break in my vehicle?
If you are purchasing your car new, there are a few things that you should do in the early going to break the vehicle in. For the first 1,000 miles, you should try to avoid driving at a continuous speed...
Power steering pump leaking
The model of vehicle is missing on this one. The most likely cause is the pump shaft seal or the reservoir to tank seal. Otherwise, the lines could be leaking. I recommend having a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle, locate...
My steering wheel vibrates
The vibration or bumping you are getting is due to one or more items that are binding. The upper strut bearing, lower ball joint or the tie rod end is binding from wear or lack of lubrication. A proper inspection...
Shifting problem?
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by...
I have a 2002 Dodge Durango that keeps stalling while running. The car gives no warning sign and dies with no apparent patter
Hi there. Generally speaking, when a car will start but stalls randomly it will be due to either an electrical short in the ignition system or a fuel restriction problem, misfiring fuel injectors or other faulty components. Since there are...
I have a Volkswagen Jetta 02 and it starts up but when in gear it won't move when I press the gas pedal what do you think is wrong
Hi Monticello. Thanks for contacting us tonight. In most cases, this issue is caused by a damaged shift solenoid or perhaps an obstruction of debris inside the transmission hydraulic lines. It could also be caused by damaged inside the transmission...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Undercover Cop
If If you're an undercover cop, when you choose a used vehicle, your main purpose is to look like anything but a cop. That means, of course, that an unmarked Crown Victoria is probably not the wisest choice. We’ve evaluated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy if You're Hauling a Horse Trailer
Horse Horse owners need a vehicle with towing capacity. Depending on the size of your trailer and the weight of your horse or horses, you probably won’t be able to get away with less than a 3,000-pound towing capacity, and...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...