Here are some of the reasons why the serpentine belt may be making a burning smell:
- The belt may be too tight or too loose, causing it to slip and generate friction.
- The belt may be old, cracked, or frayed, reducing its ability to grip the pulleys properly.
- The belt may be misaligned, causing it to rub against other components in the engine bay.
- The tensioner pulley or idler pulley may be faulty, causing the belt to run at an incorrect angle.
- There may be a problem with the power steering pump or air conditioning compressor, which can put extra strain on the serpentine belt.
If you notice a burning rubber smell coming from your car, it's important to inspect the serpentine belt and the other components it runs on as soon as possible to identify and address the cause of the smell. Ignoring the problem can lead to further damage to the belt and other parts of your car's engine.