# Help my belts are burning! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** infiniti\ **Created:** [November 26, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560 "2019-11-26T02:45:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/22 "2019-11-26T19:40:48Z")
The thing you should be thinking about first is why you are not taking this car to a real mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/23 "2019-11-26T19:56:12Z")
If the belt diagram that you linked is correct and the AC belt is smoking just cut it. You will lose nothing and the car will be driveable. It just seems so simple… ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/24 "2019-11-26T20:17:35Z")
Doing as Rod recommends gives OP a really good chance of avoiding the towing fee, which might cost as much as the repair (if it’s a bad belt or tensioner). Cut it! ---
**Author:** ![art1966](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/77aa72/32.png) [@art1966](https://community.cartalk.com/u/art1966)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/25 "2019-11-26T20:39:49Z")
Why are we not suggesting that the idler pulley might be stuck. Probably less likely, but plausible, no? ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/26 "2019-11-26T20:44:18Z")
It’s an older car and who knows the last time the belt was replaced, if ever. Wouldn’t surprise me if the belt was simply getting bad, stretching and jumping the pulley. Before cutting the belt, like others suggested, start the engine, turn the A/C on and see if you get cold air. Listen to any noise the compressor might make. If no noise and you get cold air I would replace the belt only. I am sure you can do that yourself by watching some youtube videos for your car. It’s about $30 if you do it yourself and maybe $$$ if you take it to a shop. This said, if you do not feel comfortable doing all this, then yes, cut the belt and drive the car to your favorite repair shop. No towing needed. Edit: “…I would replace the pulley only…” to “…I would replace the belt only” ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/27 "2019-11-27T01:57:56Z")
> [@flashofflames\_160253](#): > > don’t know how it would be caused by revving The forces on both the belt and compressor are higher when the engine is rev’d. ---
**Author:** ![natepuisis\_160295](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ab992/32.png) [@natepuisis\_160295](https://community.cartalk.com/u/natepuisis_160295)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/28 "2019-11-27T17:04:19Z")
The belt shouldn’t be misaligned unless a pulley/component is misaligned ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/29 "2019-11-27T17:58:18Z")
i see the timing chain drives the WP. and the TC tensioner and WP can be removed without taking off the timing cover. so, the motor can run without overheating with the serp belt removed. possibly. but you would have no alt or p/s. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/30 "2019-11-27T19:59:46Z")
If something is not visibly aligned then the belt is not the problem. Replacing the belt is working on the symptom, not the cause. ---
**Author:** ![flashofflames\_160253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/54ee81/32.png) [@flashofflames\_160253](https://community.cartalk.com/u/flashofflames_160253)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/31 "2019-11-27T20:02:20Z")
guys the car is at brakes plus they are working on it, they told me they were gonna put a new belt and fix one of the pulleys and then see if it works, if it doesn’t they will see what is causing it to break apart which would likely be the ac compressor so they would replace that if that’s the case. I can just hope it’s not the ac compressor. Anyways thanks for the help I couldn’t respond so often cause it says I’m a new user or whatever ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/32 "2019-11-27T21:21:52Z")
And again I ask why you would take a car with this issue to a place called “brakes plus”? They don’t have the ability or the equipment to even replace the A/C compressor if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/33 "2019-11-27T21:30:41Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > “brakes plus”? Brakes Plus does Brakes **PLUS** other repairs. > **[Auto Repair Service, Oil Change & Brakes | Brakes Plus](https://www.brakesplus.com/)** > > Brakes Plus is a full-service auto repair shop with services including oil changes, brake repair, alignments & more. Schedule your appointment today! Tester ---
**Author:** ![flashofflames\_160253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/54ee81/32.png) [@flashofflames\_160253](https://community.cartalk.com/u/flashofflames_160253)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/34 "2019-11-27T21:40:44Z")
I took they fixed it turned out just to be the pulley got stuck or something he said with normal ware and tear the bearings can stop working or something. Ended up costing $320 for the new belt and pulley. Also breaks plus is full mechanic shop they don’t just do breaks despite the name understand the confusion. Anyways how do you close a thread cause the problem is solved now ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/35 "2019-11-27T21:49:47Z")
> [@flashofflames\_160253](#): > > Anyways how do you close a thread cause the problem is solved now No need to close . Just leave it alone to float around in cyber space for ever. Also glad that ( **Brakes Plus** ) solved your problem and who is **breaks plus.** ---
**Author:** ![flashofflames\_160253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/54ee81/32.png) [@flashofflames\_160253](https://community.cartalk.com/u/flashofflames_160253)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/36 "2019-11-27T21:53:26Z")
It’s just a mechanic I have a lot where I live. I live in metro Denver and they are really common here. I guess the specialize in breaks but they all other repairs too ---
**Author:** ![jdmere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jdmere/32/3002_2.png) [@jdmere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdmere)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/37 "2019-11-27T22:06:17Z")
If they specialize in _breaks_ I would avoid them at all costs. However, if they specialize in _brakes_ they might be worth taking a chance. ---
**Author:** ![flashofflames\_160253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/54ee81/32.png) [@flashofflames\_160253](https://community.cartalk.com/u/flashofflames_160253)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/38 "2019-11-27T22:12:08Z")
Haha funny got me, typo lol ---
**Author:** ![natepuisis\_160295](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ab992/32.png) [@natepuisis\_160295](https://community.cartalk.com/u/natepuisis_160295)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/39 "2019-11-27T22:58:43Z")
Thank you for sharing the update. Good to hear! ---
**Author:** ![C\_Hickman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@C\_Hickman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/C_Hickman)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2019, 5:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/40 "2019-11-29T05:01:30Z")
Or an idler frozen? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560/41 "2019-11-29T14:26:23Z")
Usually you might notice a growling pulley. They normally don’t seize in a snap. You hear a whine/ growl prior to full on failure. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-belts-are-burning/153560.md?page=1)