Table of Contents
Does every engine have a serpentine belt?
Today, there’s one belt to run them all—well, for the majority of vehicles. It’s called the serpentine belt. Some rides may have an additional belt to run select accessories, but the serpentine does the bulk of the work.
How do I know if my serpentine belt went out?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/Drive 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 happens when serpentine belt goes bad?
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 these important systems halt, your engine will fail to function at an appropriate level.
How often does a serpentine belt need to be replaced?
Serpentine belts will last you a few years, but depending on whom you ask, you’ll need to start thinking about checking it every 50,000 to 60,000 miles. The easiest way to know that a new serpentine belt is needed is if you hear it squealing while the engine is running.
How expensive is it 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.
Why do serpentine belts 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.
Will a new serpentine belt improve performance?
The new belt does not slip therefore everything is turning and generating at full capacity, hence the improvement you see. Not really. All of your accessories(power steering, air-conditioning, etc.)
Can I drive with a bad serpentine 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.
How many years does a serpentine belt last?
Under ideal circumstances, you’ll get anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles of reliable service from a typical serpentine belt. In terms of years, it may be anywhere from 4 years to an entire decade before you’ll need to replace your serpentine belt.
How far can I drive with a broken serpentine belt?
How long will my car run with a broken serpentine belt? There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
Can I drive without a serpentine belt?
How far can I drive without a serpentine belt?