Drive Belt Rumbling

Drive Belt Rumbling Diagnosis

Diagnostic Aids
Vibration from the engine operating may cause a body component or another part of the vehicle to make rumbling noise.

The drive belt(s) may have a condition that can not be seen or felt. Sometimes replacing the drive belt(s) may be the only repair for the symptom.

If after replacing the drive belt(s) and completing the diagnostic table, the rumbling is only heard with the drive belt(s) installed, there might be an accessory drive component failure. Varying the load on the different accessory drive component(s) may aid in identifying which component is causing the rumbling noise.

Test Description
The number(s) below refer to the step(s) in the diagnostic table.
2. This test is to verify that the symptom is present during diagnosing. Other vehicle components may cause a similar symptom.
3. This test is to verify that the drive belt(s) is causing the rumbling. Rumbling may be confused with an internal engine noise due to the similarity in the description. Remove only one drive belt at a time if the vehicle has multiple drive belts. Operate the engine for a few seconds, this will verify if the rumbling noise is related to the drive belt(s) or not. With the drive belt(s) removed the water pump will not operate and the engine may overheat. Also Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may set when the engine is operated with the drive belt(s) removed.
4. Inspect the drive belt(s) to ensure that the drive belt(s) is not the cause of the noise. Small cracks across the ribs of the drive belt(s) will not cause the noise. Belt separation is identified by the plys of the belt separating, this may be seen at the edge of the belt or felt as a lump in the belt.
5. Small amounts of pilling is a normal condition and acceptable. When the pilling is severe the drive belt(s) does not have a smooth surface for proper operation.