A belt should easily last three or four years, if adjusted to the proper tension. It’s a good idea to have all of the belts replaced routinely
every 30,000 to 40,000 miles
when you have the engine tuned up. And you should also carry a spare fan belt in the trunk.
How much does it cost to replace a fan 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.
Is a fan belt the same as a timing belt?
The fan belt is used to transfer rotational power from one place to another in the engine. It works in a very similar way to the
timing belt
; the only real difference is that it connects a different set of rotating shafts together.
What is a fan belt also called?
The
serpentine belt
is a long rubber belt that transports power to the engine accessories—the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and (sometimes) the water pump. You may have heard a serpentine belt referred to as a fan belt or accessory belt.
What are the signs of a bad fan belt?
- Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt. …
- Power steering and AC not working. …
- Engine overheating. …
- Cracks and wear on the belt.
What causes fan belt to 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 happens if fan belt breaks while driving?
A broken serpentine belt can lead to
a sudden loss of power steering in
your car, making your steering very difficult to turn. … A broken serpentine belt causes the water pump to stop circulating coolant through the engine’s cooling system, causing it to overheat.
How much does a timing belt cost?
The average cost to replace a timing belt will be anywhere from
$300 to $500 in
total (more for larger cars, trucks, and SUVs). The timing belt itself will usually only cost less than $50 but the majority of a timing belt job is spent on labor. The cost of the labor will be anywhere from $250 to $450 or more.
How do you know if your belt is squealing?
Each has its own unique characteristics, causes and solutions. One method to determine if the noise is a chirp or squeal is
to use a water squirt bottle and spray the rib side of the belt while the vehicle is running
. If the noise gets louder, it’s a squeal. If the noise goes away, it’s a chirp.
Can you drive without a fan belt?
Under
no circumstances can
you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. The serpentine belt drives the water pump, and without it, there is insufficient coolant flow to maintain the engine temperature.
What is the purpose of fan belt?
Uses. A fan belt
connects the engine cooling fan to the alternator and crankshaft pulley
. Belts are also used to power components such as the air conditioner compressor, the power steering pump and the water pump.
What is the function of fan belt?
The fan belt is used
to transfer rotational power from one place to another in the engine
. It works in a very similar way to the timing belt; the only real difference is that it connects a different set of rotating shafts together.
How do I stop my fan belt from squealing?
WD-40 is a water displacement lubricant and should remove the moisture from the belt ribs. In most cases, removing the moisture will stop the squeal. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes, then
spray rubber dressing
, also known as belt dressing, onto the belt in the same manner employed above.
What does a broken fan 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. … This causes the belt to start slipping from time to time.
