Can you replace a serpentine belt yourself? Automatic belt tensioners, standard in most cars now,
make changing a serpentine belt a simple DIY repair
. Follow the clear photos and step-by-step instructions and you’ll be done in 15 minutes.
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around
$100 to $195
to replace your serpentine belt.
How long does it take to change serpentine belt?
It usually takes approximately
thirty minutes
for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt. With the right tools and equipment, an auto mechanic can complete the process within thirty minutes to an hour.
Should I change my serpentine belt?
How do you install a serpentine belt?
Will your car start if the serpentine belt breaks?
Yes, a vehicle can start with a broken serpentine belt, assuming the battery is fully functional
. The starter motor and ignition system will crank the car’s engine to get the combustion process started. However, you’ll need the serpentine belt if you want your car running for long periods.
What are the signs of a bad serpentine belt?
Common signs include
a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt
.
What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
As these belts wear out, they can begin to
squeak or squeal
. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn’t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
What happens if a belt breaks while driving?
Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt
. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.
Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing belt?
You can easily tell the difference between the two when you look at the grooves.
A timing belt has horizontal “teeth” designed to fit the cogwheels of the crankshaft and camshaft. A serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt.
What needs to be replaced when replacing a serpentine belt?
There are only a few things you’ll need to replace a serpentine belt:
a new belt, a belt tensioner tool and maybe a socket wrench
. These things should be easy to find at an auto parts store. Gloves and eye protection never hurt either. Every car engine is different, even engines from the same auto manufacturer.
How long will a squealing belt last?
The good news is a serpentine belt can last
up to 50,000 miles or five years
, with proper maintenance, before it needs replacing. Heat and friction of normal use slowly wear down the belt before it breaks.
Is it safe to drive with a serpentine belt problem why?
Basically,
you should be able to drive it to a safe space where it can be towed or repaired
. If the belt is snapped and dangling in the engine compartment, remove it before moving the vehicle to prevent further damage.
What are the 3 belts in a car?
- Timing Belts. A timing belt, is a notched rubber belt that opens and closes the engine valves in proper timing with the pistons. …
- Serpentine Belts. Your car’s serpentine belt is a long continuous belt that drives all your engine components. …
- V-Belts.
How long will a cracked serpentine belt last?
How long will a cracked serpentine belt last? Serpentine belts typically last
between 60,000 and 100,000 miles
(although some claim that they last anywhere between 30,000 to 150,000 miles). Still, that doesn’t mean you should wait until the 100,000-mile mark to check on your belt.
How do you fix a squealing serpentine belt?
Can a bad serpentine belt cause check engine light?
A loose or worn belt will cause ticking or rattling noises, poor engine performance and overheating,
usually triggering the check engine light
.
What damage can a broken serpentine belt cause?
A broken serpentine belt
stops the water pump from circulating coolant (antifreeze) through the cooling system, and the engine can overheat
– anywhere! A broken serpentine belt stops the alternator from generating power to operate the vehicle’s electric (and electronic) systems and recharge the battery.
How do I know if my pulley is squeaking or belt?
Can I spray wd40 on my serpentine belt?
If your alternator belt squeaks, or your power steering belt starts slipping, the noise can be infuriating. With this specially formulated spray from WD-40 Company, squealing belts are no problem at all. Just
spray a little WD-40 Specialist Automotive Belt Dressing with the engine running
.
How do I know if my pulley serpentine belt is bad?
- Shaky, or Otherwise Incumbered Belt Motion. …
- Visible Wear On Your Pulleys. …
- Belt “Squealing” or “Whining” Noises. …
- Knocking or Slapping Noises. …
- Damaged Bearings or Pulleys. …
- What if the Pulley Seems Fine, But There’s Still an Issue? …
- Need to Replace Your Timing Belt Pulleys?
Can I drive a short distance without a serpentine belt?
If you’re wondering whether or not you can drive your car without a serpentine belt, the answer is no.
There are many dangers to driving without a serpentine belt
. A car can only take out so much slack from other components before they fail and stop working altogether.
What happens when the serpentine belt goes out?
A broken serpentine belt
causes the water pump to stop circulating coolant through the engine’s cooling system, causing it to overheat
. This can happen at any time, if the belt decides to go out on you.
What causes squealing serpentine belt?
How do you remove a serpentine belt without tool?
Is it safe to drive with a squealing serpentine belt?
That’s why it’s recommended that the serpentine belt is replaced early when the squealing symptoms are first noticed. Although
it may be safe to drive with the squealing for a few days or weeks, the belt will eventually need to be replaced
, and for safety, the earlier it’s repaired, the better.
Can a bad alternator cause belt to squeal?
If you hear a squealing or whirring noise in front of your car, whether the belt noise goes away when warm or not, it could be so annoying and embarrassing.
This squealing noise is mostly caused by a bad serpentine belt
. It becomes more annoying if the alternator belt squeals after replacement.
Why is my belt squealing when I accelerate?
A squealing noise, often heard at engine startup, sudden acceleration, air conditioning turn-on, or during a U-turn is typically caused by
belt slippage due to improper tension and/or a badly glazed belt
. Serpentine belt systems typically employ a spring loaded belt tensioning pulley and sometimes these can go soft.
Is an alternator belt the same as a drive belt?
How do I know which serpentine belt I need?
Because most automotive v-belts are roughly 3/16-inch in depth, this must be compensated for in order to come up with an outside circumference. The rule of thumb is to
add 11⁄2 to 2 inches to the inside circumference measurement
. Our setup demanded a belt between 571⁄2 and 58 inches in length.
Will serpentine belt make noise?
The serpentine belt (also known as a fan belt, alternator belt, or drive belt) is a critical car component.
Hearing a sharp squeaking noise or a loud grinding noise are tell-tale signs of wear
.
How often should you replace a serpentine belt?
What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
As these belts wear out, they can begin to
squeak or squeal
. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn’t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
Does Walmart do serpentine belts?
Walmart has provided Auto care centers in some of their stores that provide the services of replacing serpentine belts
. It is safe to contact the store beforehand to ensure they render such replacement service.
How long does a serpentine belt last?
On average, serpentine belts should last
between 60,000 and 100,000 miles
. However, if you’re only putting a few thousand miles annually on your vehicle, don’t use that mileage interval as the sole guide for when to replace the serpentine belt.
