A common serpentine belt costs no more than $75 and starts at about $25. You could change the belt yourself if you have a basic understanding of auto repair, which might save you between $75 and $120 in labor costs. You should budget between $100 and $195 to replace your serpentine belt altogether.
The straightforward fix for this issue shouldn’t take more than an hour—two at most. It depends on the car’s model and how simple it is to access the serpentine belt inside the chassis of the vehicle.
In This Article...
When ought my serpentine belt to be changed?
Your belt was designed to last a long time. Your car’s serpentine belt ought to last 60,000–100,000 miles under optimal conditions.
Even if the belt appears to be in good condition, it should be replaced as part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance to prevent it from breaking while you’re driving.
Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt
Serpentine belts are made to last for a very long time. But ultimately, the heat and friction will degrade it, necessitating replacement. Here are some indicators that a serpentine belt is failing:
How much time can a car operate without a serpentine belt?
The answer to this issue depends on a few different variables, but generally speaking, your automobile should be able to run for 20 to 90 minutes even with a broken serpentine belt.
On a hot day, the engine will overheat more quickly without a working cooling system, reducing your window for driving.
However, if the temperature is cold and your battery is completely charged, you might be able to operate the engine of your car for a little bit longer than 90 minutes before the battery runs out. That may be sufficient time to reach a close-by mechanic.
To prevent battery drain, all electrical and electronic equipment should be turned off. Also, keep in mind that your steering wheel will feel somewhat heavier.
The answer to this issue depends on a few different variables, but generally speaking, your automobile should be able to run for 20 to 90 minutes even with a broken serpentine belt. On a hot day, the engine will overheat more quickly without a working cooling system, reducing your window for driving.
Serpentine belt: Does it impact the transmission?
Your car’s transmission may sustain damage if the serpentine belt ruptures. The engine will start to overheat almost immediately after the serpentine belt in your car snaps. The water pump can’t sufficiently cool your engine if the belt isn’t moving. Your transmission could sustain damage if the engine overheats.
How long is the lifespan of a serpentine belt?
While many individuals regularly bring their cars in for normal maintenance, the Serpentine Belt is frequently misunderstood and ignored. Since most individuals don’t consider it until it’s too late, you can end up stuck. Despite the fact that you might not be able to handle your own engine maintenance, it is nevertheless necessary to comprehend how the more crucial parts function and how to spot a problem before you end up having to wait for a tow truck.
Nearly every crucial portion of the engine receives mechanical power from the serpentine belt, which “snakes” around a number of engine parts. Every four to six years under normal circumstances, the belt has to be replaced. People who reside in places with yearly temperature and humidity variations may need to change it more frequently. The serpentine belt will initially show signs of drying up and cracking as it approaches the end of its lifespan. Heat and aging are the two main factors that generate cracks. This belt sustains continuous damage due to the engine’s intense heat and the constantly changing weather outside. When these cracks deteriorate sufficiently, the belt will start to fall apart and eventually snap. When this occurs, your car will stall, the alternator will cease working, causing the car to overheat, and your power steering will stop working.
There is an auditory queue to listen for if you are unable to see or physically identify your serpentine belt. These belts will start to make a high-pitched whining or squealing noise that can be heard from within the car when they start to have problems. If you hear this sound, you should make an appointment with your neighborhood mechanic. Depending on the type of car, replacing the belt is frequently a straightforward fix and typically costs between $60 and $80. Get it checked out immediately because this noise may also be a sign that another issue with the drive system (such as frozen pulley bearings) exists.
While none of us can be mechanics, we can all drive safely and be aware of our surroundings. Before the chilly winter months begin, schedule maintenance on your car if you haven’t done so in a while. When replacing ignition components, opt for E3 Spark Plugs for a better burn.
What serves as an idler pulley?
A typical component that is present on the majority of automobiles on the road is the idler pulley. Its main job is to direct and maintain tension on the engine drive belt. These belts encircle the many engine components, including the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, and others.
Can I change my own serpentine belt?
Since automatic belt tensioners are now common in most cars, changing a serpentine belt is a straightforward do-it-yourself fix. You may complete the project in 15 minutes if you follow the step-by-step directions and detailed pictures.
Is it simple to replace a serpentine belt?
It only takes a few simple steps to replace a serpentine belt: thread it into place, turn the tensioner, and slide the belt over the nearest pulley on top. The majority of belt tensioners use spring tension.
What signs might point to a damaged serpentine belt?
The front of the car making a screaming noise, the power steering and air conditioning not working, the engine overheating, and belt cracks are common warning signals.
What occurs if a serpentine belt is installed incorrectly?
It may occasionally be feasible to install a serpentine belt incorrectly. The alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor, or power steering pump may not operate properly if this occurs because one or more pulleys will revolve in the WRONG direction.
Should I use a serpentine belt to replace the tensioner?
Maintaining tension on your serpentine belt as it moves through the engine requires the use of tensioners, which increase pressure from an adjustable pivot point or spring mechanism.
Since the belt typically wears out before the tensioner does, there is no suggested time period for replacing your tensioner. To monitor its condition and replace it if necessary, you should check your tensioner each time you service your car.
The drive belt and the serpentine belt are they the same?
What distinguishes a drive belt from a serpentine belt? The truth is that the two are frequently used synonymously and are frequently confused for one another. However, they are truly distinct belts. The serpentine belt is intertwined, lengthy, and thin.
The serpentine belt and the alternator belt are they the same thing?
1 Response. It is referred to as a FEAD belt informally (Front Engine Accessory Drive belt). Because it can make turns between pulleys and utilize both sides of the belt, people refer to it as a serpentine. It’s just another way of saying alternator belt, yes.
What occurs if the drive belt snaps while you’re driving?
With a broken timing belt, your automobile cannot operate. You won’t be able to drive at all by the time the belt snaps because the harm has already been done. The vehicle will need to be towed to an auto repair facility.
What is the sound of a worn serpentine belt?
Belts called serpentine belts join the pulleys in your engine. These belts often link the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning condenser to the crank pulley. Different cars have different numbers of pulleys, depending on how your engine was built. All of these essential pieces can be driven by the engine’s rotation by connecting them to the crank pulley.
These belts may start to squeak or screech as they deteriorate. They generate noise when the belt is not tight enough or when the pulleys are weak or out of alignment. Often, all it takes to stop the screeching is to change the belt. Despite seeming terrifying, the noise rarely poses a threat. It may occasionally be a clue that the belt is going to break. It’s recommended to routinely check your belt, particularly if it starts to make noise.
You shouldn’t put off checking your serpentine belt until it starts making noise. Check your belt every time you check your oil. Look for fraying at the edges with particular attention. Replace the belt right away if you see that it is starting to fray. A belt that is fraying indicates that it is really worn out and may break, leaving you stuck. The same holds true if you notice any unusual cracking. Serpentine belts break over time as a result of being heated and chilled. If your belt breaks due to a crack, you can be stuck waiting for a tow truck. Your belt will deteriorate over time even if it is not frayed or cracked. Make sure you change your vehicle’s serpentine belt according to the specified service frequency.
Although not as frequently as other parts like filters, belts need to be replaced. It might need to be replaced once every five years or 50,000 miles, depending on your car. In many cars, the belt only has to be changed once every 10,000 miles. If you are aware that your serpentine belt is older, it is crucial to monitor it because older belts are frequently weaker.
Uncertain of when to change your serpentine belt? To make an appointment, get in touch with Audi Silver Spring right away. To ensure that you are not left stuck, our qualified personnel can examine the situation for you and make the best recommendation.
What results in the serpentine belt coming off?
Serpentine belt wear is typically caused by a bad tensioner or misalignment. Even while it may be challenging to identify an issue solely by listening, looking at the belt directly can assist you do so, both before and after it has been taken off.
Excessive Cracking
Typically, aging is the root cause of excessive cracking. Serpentine belts sag with time and use; when the rubber dries out and loses flexibility, breaking becomes more common. However, a faulty tensioner might also result in cracking. To maintain the belt firmly fastened to the pulleys, the tensioner is spring-loaded. The tensioner should always be examined to determine whether it is working properly if a belt begins to slip.
Glazing
The belt slippage results in glazing on the belt’s ridges, grooves, and edges. Belt tension loss (or a weak automated tensioner) or pulley misalignment can both cause slipping. The belt overheats as a result of the friction created when it deviates from the track between the auxiliary drive pulleys and the belt. It’s usually time for a switch if you hear a high pitched screaming sound.
Fraying
A belt that is fraying at the edge usually has the pulleys out of alignment. When the belt is not installed properly on the pulleys, the belt eventually frays when it feeds into the top edge of an accessory drive pulley side. This is quite simple to diagnose because the belt’s edge wear is typically evident. The belt rubbing against the pulleys may cause a pounding or rubbing sounds to be heard.