Emergency - Serp Belt

[jnicks01]

What a way to start the morning. I made a morning run to the local Wal-mart. When restarting my truck, I heard a clacking noise. I noticed that my idler pulley seemed to be wobbling a bit. Took a chance to get to my office and did, but the serpentine belt broke 1/2 way there, but made it without overheating. The belt was probably about 4 years old, but I'm wondering if the idler pulley is what caused the belt to slip/break. Removed the old belt, but the idler pulley will not turn freely. My question is...is the idler belt supposed to turn freely when there is not belt on it? I thought it was supposed to. If so, I'm assuming it is seized and needs to be replaced.

 

[Mike97]

The idler pulley is supposed to turn smoothly, and not have any wobble. You should replace the idler when you replace the belt.

 

[bsamoul]

It should go back and forth smoothly and freely

 

[jnicks01]

Yeah, siezed up idler pulley. Melted belt and caused it to snap.