A serpentine belt replacement typically costs between $100 and $195. This includes labor costs ($75-$120) as well as replacement parts ($25-$75).
In This Article...
Can you change a serpentine belt on your own?
Since automatic belt tensioners are now common in most cars, changing a serpentine belt is a straightforward do-it-yourself fix. You can do the task in 15 minutes if you follow the simple directions and clear pictures.
Does replacing a serpentine belt require a specialized tool?
A new belt, a belt tensioner tool, and possibly a socket wrench are all you’ll need to replace a serpentine belt. These items ought to be simple to locate at an auto parts store. It never hurts to wear gloves and eye protection.
Even those from the same automaker vary from one another in an automobile. Since the pulleys will be arranged differently, so will the serpentine belt. In order to inspect the condition of the belt on some newer vehicles, the plastic engine cover may need to be removed. Open the hood once your engine has cooled to get oriented.
Here are some pointers to help you position the replacement correctly:
- You can find a serpentine belt diagram in the owner’s handbook of your car.
- Look up the belt’s schematics online as well. (We uncovered a ton.)
- Use your phone to take numerous shots of your engine from various perspectives.
- Under the hood, there may even be a belt winding diagram.
These are the instructions you should follow when taking out the old belt and inserting the new one.
How durable are BMW serpentine belts?
What Is the Lifespan of Serpentine Belts? The majority of modern serpentine belts can endure between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, which is a sizable period of time.
How many belts are there on a BMW E90?
Table 1 A single multi-rib engine drive belt is used in BMW E90 vehicles. Because the belt snakes around the engine components, it is sometimes referred to as a serpentine belt.
What is the time required to replace a serpentine belt?
A damaged serpentine belt can be fixed or replaced with a new belt in anywhere between 15 minutes and two hours (at most).
How can I tell if my serpentine belt needs to be replaced?
A prudent car owner will periodically inspect their serpentine belt to look for wear indicators. Check the belt for fraying, notches, missing pieces, excessive slack, and pulley misalignment.
Other visible indications of a serpentine belt problem include:
- Cracking
- Abrasions
- separate ribs
- uneven rib or belt wear
- melting or deformation
One of the most typical signs of a sliding or worn serpentine belt is a noisy or screaming belt. When you are climbing a hill and using your heater or air conditioner at the same time, squealing may become more noticeable.
Squealing can also happen after you cross large puddles or wash your car’s underbelly. In this instance, as soon as the belt dries, the shrieking ought to stop.
If a serpentine belt is frayed or totally breaks away, it may generate a flopping or flapping noise under the hood. As broken pieces of the serpentine belt fly into other components while you speed, you might hear small, regular ticks coming from beneath the hood.
Can I operate my automobile even with a broken serpentine belt?
If you’re wondering if you can operate your vehicle without a serpentine belt, the answer is categorically no. You should never operate a car without a serpentine belt because it performs the crucial job of transporting antifreeze to critical engine components. The water pump is driven by the serpentine belt, and without it, there wouldn’t be enough coolant flow to keep the engine from overheating. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the power steering pump is driven by the serpentine belt. The power steering pump, which generates hydraulic pressure, is inoperable without the serpentine belt. As a result, turning the steering wheel will be challenging, if not impossible.
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.
Is it challenging to reinstall a serpentine belt?
Put the new belt on. 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. The spring maintains pressure on the belt after installation.
How far can I travel on a serpentine belt that’s broken?
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.
How frequently should a serpentine belt be changed?
Your car’s serpentine belt ought to last 60,000–100,000 miles under optimal conditions. Even though it appears to be in good condition, you should replace this belt as part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance to prevent it from breaking while you’re driving.
How many miles can a serpentine belt last?
Serpentine belts typically endure for many years before needing to be replaced.
The type of material your belt is constructed of will ultimately determine how long it lasts. A Neoprene belt from a bygone era often lasts 50,000 kilometers. A automobile with this kind of belt may therefore last you four to five years.
A more recent EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) belt, on the other hand, might survive for 100,000 to 150,000 miles. A fresh belt could therefore last you for ten years.
You must make sure that your automobile has routine maintenance if you want to maximize the likelihood that your belt will survive for a long period. Your mechanic should always check your belt throughout these regular checks.
Your air conditioning system will abruptly stop working, as well as your alternator, if your belt breaks suddenly. As a result, until the battery is completely discharged by the engine, your automobile will be forced to operate on battery power. Afterward, regrettably, you can end up trapped on a street.
What alternative to a belt tensioner tool is there?
Then, all that is required is a jack and an open end wrench (or spanner, if you prefer). Just raise the tensioner until you can unbuckle the belt.
Can a car run without a serpentine belt for how long?
The answer depends on a few factors, but it should be able to last for 20 to 90 minutes. Your engine might easily overheat on a hot summer day if the radiator isn’t being circulated with coolant. When the temperature rises above a safe level, the engine light will often come on in newer vehicles. To safeguard the engine, it can even switch the automobile into limp mode. You could be able to go for up to 90 minutes before the charge runs out if it’s cold outdoors and your battery is brand new. You won’t be able to utilize appliances like fans, headlights, or other power-hungry devices.
Turning the wheel will be quite challenging because your power steering won’t function at all. In essence, you ought to be able to drive it to a secure location so that it can be towed or fixed. Remove the snapped belt from the engine compartment if it is there before moving the car to avoid further damage.
How is a tensioner pulley bolt removed?
To remove the pin or bolt, turn the tensioner counterclockwise while using the extension/breaker bar on the grooved pulley tensioner arm. Till the tensioner hits the low stop, let the tensioner slowly rotate in a clockwise direction. The three bolts holding the tensioner to the engine should be removed.
Why does the fanbelt make noise?
What’s the cause of the noise? The most common reason of a squeaky belt in your car’s engine is a rubber belt that is slipping on a metal pulley. This slip makes a terrible noise, like when your tires screech on the pavement.