[Engine] Serpentine belt

[steve johnson]

Good Morning Chaps,
I have a dilemma regarding my Serpentine belt, My belt snapped just as I was reversing onto my drive, a lot of smoke came from under the bonnet (I assume from the belt rubbing against moving engine pulley`s)...then the van just stopped..I assume that because the diesel pump wouldn't be working with no belt to drive it ??. When I first joined this group I was new to Diesel and these vans,It was stressed upon me to keep up with regular Maintenance which I have done, I had a leaking leak off pipe 2 weeks ago so changed them all, It was then I noticed a shiny stripe down the centre of the belt, I thought it could have been a Sycamore seed that has got under the bonnet and fallen down into the belt somehow then thrown out on start up... large tree near the van and lots of autumn leaves....I couldn't see anything that looked out of place so just kept on driving it as normal...then it went bang yesterday..the van is 1999 Berlingo 1.9 DW8 with a WJZ engine. Could anyone help me with the belt type and size, direction of travel (I have clockwise in my head for some reason) and would I need any special tools. Ive looked in the Haynes but get a little confused when it goes on about Tensioner this...Tensioner that. I need to check that the belt isn't wrapped round other parts first.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Steve..

[jj9]

Hi,
The serpentine belt doesn't run the diesel pump so if the engine stopped I'm afraid it could be bad news.

When a serpentine belt fails they often shred and parts of it can find their way into the timing belt cover at the bottom pulley and cause the timing belt to jump teeth, this will stop the engine running and more than likely cause engine damage.

You dilemma now is do you try to start the engine, or strip the timing cover off to see if the timing belt is in place and the timing is correct and there are no pieces of the serpentine belt in there. 


Regarding the correct replacement belt, this depends if the vehicle has power steering and air con?


The belt direction of travel is towards the front of the vehicle, so clockwise viewed from the O/S front wing.



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[steve johnson]

Hi,
The serpentine belt doesn't run the diesel pump so if the engine stopped I'm afraid it could be bad news.

When a serpentine belt fails they often shred and parts of it can find their way into the timing belt cover at the bottom pulley and cause the timing belt to jump teeth, this will stop the engine running and more than likely cause engine damage.

You dilemma now is do you try to start the engine, or strip the timing cover off to see if the timing belt is in place and the timing is correct and there are no pieces of the serpentine belt in there. 


Regarding the correct replacement belt, this depends if the vehicle has power steering and air con?


The belt direction of travel is towards the front of the vehicle, so clockwise viewed from the O/S front wing.


Thank you JJ9..I realised it was the power steering pump when I went back outside, I managed to remove some shredded belt bits from round one of the pully`s...I cant find anymore on the road or the van but did find a very small part near the top of the engine near the cover for the timing belt..so I'm going to check that out...I don't have air con just power steering, I noticed that the very bottom pully is very worn and felt tight to move so that will be renewed. Ive looked at the Haynes but cant make out if its an auto tensioner or manual using the alternator to tension...need to start taking it apart now to check for damage I suppose..once again Thanks for the info
Regards
Steve..
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[jj9]

If your belt has shredded, like it has been cut through its length with a knife giving two belts  this is when parts of it get pulled into the timing covers.
I've seen a serpentine belt shred and be replaced only for the vehicle come to an abrupt stop within a few hours because of the timing belt jumping teeth due to pieces of the shredded belt that must have got pulled into the timing cover!

The serpentine belts (Auxiliary drive belt) have a code on them, it's probably worn off your old belt but you may be able to make it out.

They follow the format something like 6PK 1390. (this may not be the size of your belt)

The 6PK refers to the belt having 6 ribs . . .  the 1390 is the length of the belt.


I'm not sure what tensioner your van will have but I would think it will be auto spring loaded version. These need to be moved back under spring tension so the belt can be removed / fitted, there is normally a small hole that you place a 4mm or so pin in to hold the tensioner back while the belt is fitted.

Search Google / you tube for  "citroen 1.9d auxiliary drive belt fitting"  which may help you identify what system it is.


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[steve johnson]

If your belt has shredded, like it has been cut through its length with a knife giving two belts  this is when parts of it get pulled into the timing covers.
I've seen a serpentine belt shred and be replaced only for the vehicle come to an abrupt stop within a few hours because of the timing belt jumping teeth due to pieces of the shredded belt that must have got pulled into the timing cover!

The serpentine belts (Auxiliary drive belt) have a code on them, it's probably worn off your old belt but you may be able to make it out.

They follow the format something like 6PK 1390. (this may not be the size of your belt)

The 6PK refers to the belt having 6 ribs . . .  the 1390 is the length of the belt.


I'm not sure what tensioner your van will have but I would think it will be auto spring loaded version. These need to be moved back under spring tension so the belt can be removed / fitted, there is normally a small hole that you place a 4mm or so pin in to hold the tensioner back while the belt is fitted.

Search Google / you tube for  "citroen 1.9d auxiliary drive belt fitting"  which may help you identify what system it is.


.Thank you...I have just found that the timing belt is also shredded..cant get the covers off but managed to get a look inside and saw a section of toothed belt in bits...the guy who borrowed my van now tells me he tried a few times to start it so now I'm thinking its trashed the engine. I'm not sure I want to to all the bother of stripping it down now...

[jj9]

Oh dear that doesn't sound very good.

If that's the case you will be looking at engine damage, at least a few bent valves and possible cylinder head damage.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

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[steve johnson]

Oh dear that doesn't sound very good.

If that's the case you will be looking at engine damage, at least a few bent valves and possible cylinder head damage.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Thank you very much jj9 for your help today, I had a feeling this morning it would more than likely be a lot of damage but we always hope for the best. Ive decided not to throw any money at the van, She is an old Girl now but has been a good van in the couple of years Ive had her.. Off to the scrapyard she will go this week once Ive cleared my stuff out...and the brand new battery is taken out...Only filled the tank up yesterday morning aswell, I'm sure my mate will empty it into his though,
Once again Thank you so much,
Regards,
Steve..
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[jj9]

If you're 100% sure that the timing belt is damaged getting rid of it may be your best option, unless you're handy with the spanners or know someone who will lend a hand the labour costs will make the repair outweigh the value of the van.

Hope you have better luck with your next vehicle. 


Cheers.

[steve johnson]

If you're 100% sure that the timing belt is damaged getting rid of it may be your best option, unless you're handy with the spanners or know someone who will lend a hand the labour costs will make the repair outweigh the value of the van.

Hope you have better luck with your next vehicle. 


Cheers.

Hi JJ9, yes the belt is definitely trashed I was pulling chewed up lengths out from under the cover yesterday afternoon...they were tangled with the serpentine belt...the van only cost me £300 3 yrs? ago...Ive only changed glow plugs, leak off pipes  the engine and gearbox oils with filter fuel filter, drop links, ball joints and a few bushes, both rocker gaskets. and that was in the first 2 weeks I had it...they were known problems when I bought it so no complaints really....

[jj9]

Well onwards and upwards as they say.  

Best put it behind you and start the lookout for a replacement.


Good luck.

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