How to Look for Wear or Cracks on Belts in a Chevy Impala
- 1). Let your engine cool down, if you've been driving your Chevy Impala. It's wise to wait at least 30 minutes to allow the engine enough time to cool before you start your inspection.
- 2). Pop the hood of your Chevy Impala. Prop it open and look for the drive belts. Newer Impalas will only have one serpentine belt, while older models may have separate belts running the engine components. You can locate the belts near the water pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor or power steering pump (classic cars may not have all this equipment).
- 3). Take a look at the belts and search for any kind of fraying, cracking or tearing of the belts. All of these are signs that a belt needs replacing. A "healthy" belt will have a slight texture to it, like fabric.
- 4). Use your hands to feel along the entire length of the belts in your Chevy Impala. This may include crawling underneath the vehicle to inpsect the parts you can't see or feel from inside the engine compartment. If a belt feels glossy or smooth, that means the belt is worn and needs replacing. You should be able to feel the natural texture of the belt, if it's in good shape.
- 5). Check for any oil on the belts. If you find any, you could have an oil leak, in which case, you not only need to replace the belt, but you also need to locate the leak and fix it.
- 6). Close the hood and consider your inspection. If you think any of the belts need replacing, you can do it yourself or take your Chevy Impala to a mechanic. In vehicles with multiple belts, consider replacing them all at once, even if they aren't all showing signs of wear.
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