Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.
How much does it cost to replace a drive belt?
It provides the power necessary for the air conditioning, alternator, power steering, and the cooling system water pump. The average driving belt replacement cost is generally between $120 and $160 for the placement job, with the parts costing about $60 and the labor costing around $80.
How long does it take to replace drive belt?
Changing the belt should only take about 15 minutes . Make sure the car is switched off and cooled down before touching any part of the engine. Read your belt routing diagram. This may be under the hood or in your car’s manual.
How do you replace a drive belt?
The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239 . Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
Can you drive with bad belts?
This means your vehicle’s air conditioning, alternator, smog equipment, water pump, and power steering will be lost if the belt dislodges. The loss of power steering is likely to cause an accident as you will no longer be able to easily control your vehicle.
How do I know if my drive belt needs to be replaced?
- Strange Noises. One of the biggest signs that you probably need to take your vehicle to the dealership for a check is when you start hearing strange noises coming from your engine. ...
- Visual Signs of Wear. ...
- Mileage Indicators. ...
- Breakage is Bad.
How far can you drive without a serpentine belt?
Grand Poobah. depending on your vehicle a serpentine belt runs your A/C, alternator, and power steering usually. You can go 1/2 a mile without that. But, in some cars it also runs your water pump.
What happens if drive belt breaks?
Serpentine belt failure can cause your car’s power steering system to fail. It can also cause your alternator or water pump to cease to work. ... When the serpentine belt completely breaks, your engine will stall which is not only dangerous , it is also inconvenient.
Can I replace a serpentine belt myself?
You can replace a serpentine belt with ordinary hand tools . But we don’t recommend it. The spaces are often tight and the belt-driven devices difficult to reach. ... The belt placement tool allowed us to remove and properly place the new belt without reaching down into the pulley area.
What does a worn serpentine belt sound like?
Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood. The battery-shaped charging system warning light might also come on because the alternator will stop charging the battery. If a car has a hydraulic power steering pump, the steering will become stiff.
What happens if you don’t replace drive belt?
If the serpentine belt completely fails and breaks, then your car will break down . In addition, you will notice a loss of power steering, the air conditioning will not work, and the engine will no longer be able to be cooled like it should be.
When should I replace my belt tensioner?
There is no recommended timeframe in which to replace your tensioner, especially as the belt itself usually needs replacing before the tensioner does. However, you should inspect your tensioner each time you service your car to monitor its condition and replace it if necessary.
Can a bad serpentine belt cause check engine light?
Without this belt, the engine can’t run. How do I know it’s time to replace my timing belt? A loose or worn belt will cause ticking or rattling noises, poor engine performance and overheating, usually triggering the check engine light.
Why would a serpentine belt break?
Serpentine belts can fail in a few different ways. ... This is usually the result of a belt in poor condition, or a problem with one of the accessory components being driven by the belt. A failed bearing in a pulley being driven by the serpentine belt will also cause the belt to break.
What causes a serpentine belt to come off?
Belt coming off: Pulley misalignment , belt misalignment on pulley, defective tensioner, or bearing wear in tensioner, idler or driven accessories.
