1999 Ford Escort ZX2 Serpentine Belt Keeps falling off

Update:The lower idler pulley is wobbly causing the belt to come off when water is splashed on the belt.the belt slides off right at the water pump pulley.Forget what i said about the tensioner its just made that way.UPDATE:You can buy a double sided belt works perfect fro this problem

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1999
• Ford
• Escort
• ZX2
• Serpentine
• Belt

[kadir1982]

i got u...i think its the steering wheel fluid leaking around there somewhere thats the only thing i can think of...by the way my car is 2005 zx4 ses 2.0 motor ford focus...and yes it is a new belt that keeps coming off...just got done putting it on...i hope it wont fail me in the morning before i go to work...if u have anymore insights i d appreciate it..thank you

[GrindTimeAuto]

@kadir1982 the only other option is the double-sided belt it has ribs on both sides so it works like a car tire any liquid just goes through the grooves while the belt maintains contact with the pulley

[grettagrids]

@GrindTimeAuto gates makes a double sided belt for ones like the dodge caravan becuz they like to fall off when wet. I just changed it back to the original though since the tensioner was bad and the original parts are cheaper. hasn't fallin off yet with the new tensioner, even in the rain:)

[brokeneagle]

The most common application for the double sided belts are for the Volkswagens with the VR6 engines.

[tcarsw]

Add a washer behind a new belt idler pulley and it will fix the belt from coming off. This method will allow the belt to move closer to the engine by 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch.

[GrindTimeAuto]

@kadir1982 is it a new belt?the belt always slides off at the same place cause it is using the smooth back side of the belt over the pulley.water is usually the cause.you have to find out what is getting the belt wet

[kadir1982]

@GrindTimeAuto how u doin, my belt keeps coming off every third or second day after i put it on,pulley seems to be fine, its not wobbly and the belt isthe right size, i cannot figure out y it keeps coming off after couple of days...one thing i can say is there is either oil leakage or steering wheel fluid leakage around the area everytime i put the belt back on...could that be the reason? u r very helpfull, thank u, please get back to me

[GrindTimeAuto]

@sceniak YOU ARE NOT CRAZY DOUBLE-SIDED BELTS DO EXIST I've been in this car game for a long time!

[GrindTimeAuto]

@sceniak Wow they really have no idea!.There is definitely a doubled sided belt!!!!!! Not everybody knows of this.Napa carries them.associated auto parts,norwood has them.you measure your belt or bring it with you so they can match it.The double-sided belt is perfect for a belt that keeps slipping off the pulley.THERE ARE DOUBLE-SIDED BELTS

[sceniak]

@GrindTimeAuto My 1998 escort is having the same problem.. I've looked around and called a ford dealership and everyone I talked to thought I was crazy and said there's no such thing as a double sided belt.. help?