Spurlee Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Is the water pump n my 1996 El Dorado driven from the left-side serpentine belt or from the right-side small belt that is driven off the front bank cam? My cooling system failed the other day and I traced the problem to the small broken belt on the right side. Looked as if heat dried it out. An easy fix. In retrospect, it seems sort of lightweight to be driving the pump - what does it do? Thanks! Scott 1996 El Dorado 2006 STS 2000 Corvette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northstar Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 The small belt drives the water pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbuc Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 The smaller belt that's driven off the Cam at the back of the engine (side with the Throttle body) is what drives the water pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob D Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Spurlee, while you're at it, make sure the tensioner for that small water pump belt is good and free. If it hangs it can cause the belt to slip, a factor that may add to heat and wear. With time, this has been known to happen. A liitle light oil, carefully used will keep it nice and free, keeping the correct tension to that belt. '93 STS.. opened, dropped, wide...fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spurlee Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Spurlee, while you're at it, make sure the tensioner for that small water pump belt is good and free. If it hangs it can cause the belt to slip, a factor that may add to heat and wear. With time, this has been known to happen. A liitle light oil, carefully used will keep it nice and free, keeping the correct tension to that belt. Thanks, I will do so. Scott 1996 El Dorado 2006 STS 2000 Corvette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMWburner Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 So that's what that belt does. Good to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert383 Posted February 4, 2006 Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 Just had the same belt fail this past weekend. 97 STS, 87,000 miles. Same observation as well. What was left, dried, cracked. Like some, didn't even know it was there until it failed. A fairly easy maintance operation, under ten dollars and may procede serpentine belt replacment due to location and heat build up. Yes, check the idler but can honestly say I have never had a belt fail do to what I saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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