The serpentine belt, also known as the drive belt, is made of rubber. It connects the AC, power steering, and alternator to the engine's crankshaft. The crankshaft sends power to each of these systems as well as the vehicle's air injection pump. If the belt does not function properly, the car's electrical accessory components will not operate and the battery will not be properly charged.
Basic fan belt maintenance implies inspection with every oil change. Our technicians will make sure it is correctly aligned on the pulleys, because if it slips off, your car may lose power. Regular maintenance is also important because it helps ensure that your belt will last longer, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, without you changing it.
Serpentine Belt Inspections
Belts suffer wear and tear just like any other vehicle part and will often crack due to the engine's heat. It is recommended that you have your fan belt replacement performed before the vehicle reaches the critical mileage level. Regular inspections will help not only identify worn marks or broken belts, but also recognize early warning signs:
Squealing noise from your car’s engine
Frays, tears, grooves or cracks on the drive belt
Rubber is peeling off the belt
Starting the car becomes difficult
Overheating engine (steam or vapor coming from underneath the hood)
Engine loses power
Check battery light is on
Engine Belt Replacement
If your vehicle's serpentine belt is broken, you may find it difficult to turn the steering wheel and driving may be unsafe. If your vehicle is older, or if you hear squealing noises from the engine, those belts might need changing. It’s important to bring your car in as soon as possible to avoid more serious, and hence expensive, damage.
Consequences of a Faulty Serpentine Belt
If you hear slapping sounds from the engine, this is often an indication that the timing belt has slipped. When a timing belt breaks, the engine will no longer function or might even suffer significant damage. This includes damage to the pistons, valves, or the cylinder head, all of which lead to expensive repairs, possibly even an engine replacement.
If the fan belt breaks while you’re driving the car, everything driven by the belt will cease to operate. This includes the air-conditioner compressor, water pump and alternator. Not only that, but all the parts it controls can become severely damaged.
The belt replacement cost is quite minimal compared to the damage that could occur if you leave a malfunctioning belt in your vehicle. As part of your routine maintenance schedule, a certified technician can inspect and replace any belts if needed.
When should a serpentine belt be replaced? The serpentine replacement interval is about every 60,000 – 100,000 miles. Because of their rubber material, serpentine belts will crack, peel, and wear down over time.
It's a good idea for customers to replace both the water pump and the timing belt simultaneously so that both parts are brand new and will wear at the same time.
For most cars, it's recommended that you get the serpentine belt inspected once your car reaches 60K miles, explains AutoZone. It's also important to perform visual and audible inspections for wear and tear before that milestone.
One of the earliest signs of a failing serpentine belt is a high-pitched squealing or whining noise, especially during engine startup or when turning the steering wheel. This noise is typically caused by the belt slipping on the pulleys due to reduced tension or deterioration.
The average cost for serpentine belt replacement is between $109 and $134. Labor costs are estimated between $57 and $72, while parts range between $52 and $62. Whether you go to the mechanic or do it yourself, replacing a serpentine belt costs $58 to $126.
These EPDM belts are not expected to need replacement before 10 years or 150,000 miles of normal use. A skilled technician can measure the wear on these newer belts and then recommend replacement based on that measurement.
Your engine's serpentine belt is located on the outside of the engine block, making it easily visible. Unlike the timing belt, this placement makes inspecting and replacing your serpentine belt very easy.
If you need to replace your vehicle's alternator, there might be a few more parts you'll want to replace as well. We recommend replacing the serpentine belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys along with your alternator. Replacing all these parts at the same time will save you money and time in the long run.
A serpentine belt, also known as an accessory belt, is part of your vehicle's drive system that helps it run properly and reliably every time you drive it. Unfortunately, serpentine belts can deteriorate over time due to exposure to heat and friction.
Belt tensioners also work to keep the belt in place, as loose belts can cause your power steering, cooling system, and engine to quit. When you have your serpentine belt replaced, you should also have your belt tensioner replaced to ward off mechanical failures.
Your serpentine belt was made to last. Under ideal circ*mstances, your car's serpentine belt should last 60,000–100,000 miles. It's important to replace this belt as part of your vehicle's scheduled maintenance (even if it looks okay) to avoid it breaking while you're on the road.
To break in a belt, use low gear (if available) while varying speeds and avoiding wide open throttle for 5 to 10 miles. If no low gear is available, vary at moderate speeds while avoiding wide open throttle for 50 miles. Breaking in a belt is about more than a set number of miles and avoiding high engine RPM.
If a newly installed serpentine belt is making noise, it is a sign of a problem within the engine's front end drive system. Serpentine belt noise is the equivalent to a “check engine” light that indicates something is wrong with the belt drive system. But surprisingly, more often than not, the belt is not the culprit.
The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.
Belts run hotter when first installed and are more sensitive to high loads until they break in. The goal of break-in is to achieve a high number of flex cycles under low load while maintaining low temperatures. Even with a proper break-in, it is possible to damage a belt with excessive heat or spin-burn.
Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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