Replacing a bad evaporative swamp cooler belt is part of regular maintenance and something that many DIY homeowners can do.
Of course, if in doubt be sure to call a professional.
Each swamp cooler will have a different belt size that can be bought at most home improvement stores or online.
How Long Should a Swamp Cooler Belt Last?
Most swamp cooler belts last roughly 3-5 years, although this can vary on the environment and use.
The belt should be inspected every year and if it looks worn should be replaced.
A bad swamp cooler belt will have cracks and pieces starting to break off from wear and tear.
Once it has cracks and breaks, it can fail at any moment and stop blowing cooled air into a home.
How Do You Find a Swamp Cooler Belt Size and Replacement?
To locate the belt size and measurements, look for a part number on the underside of the belt.
The part number can be used to find the belt size and replacement.
If no part number is visible, take the belt to a hardware store and match it to other belts.
How To Replace an Evaporative Swamp Cooler Fan Motor Belt
- Turn the power off to the unit.
- Remove the side panels to access the belt.
- Locate the adjusted bracket the motor sits on.
- Loosen the bolts. (They usually will not need to be removed completely only loosened.
- Loosen the bolts on the other side of the cage.
- The bracket that holds the motor in place can be pushed up and the belt removed.
- Installing the new belt is simply the reverse of removing it.
- The belt does not need to be extremely tight and can go in roughly 1/2 inch when pushed in on.
Summary
Replacing a swamp cooler belt is an easy task that most home do-it-yourself type of person can do.
If the unit is located in a hard-to-reach location such as a roof, the job may be more difficult.
Often, the hardest part, especially on older units, is getting the rusted bolts to loosen up.
After the belt is removed, if no size or part number is visible on it, take it with you to a hardware store and they can match it up to a new one.
Keep in mind not all units are built the same; while there may be some differences, the basics will be the same.
As always, if in doubt, call a professional to do it for you.