A serpentine belt is a vital part of your car’s engine. It is responsible for transferring power from the crankshaft to various parts of your car such as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, and water pump.
Without a properly functioning serpentine belt, your car will not run smoothly and may even break down. In this article, we will discuss what a serpentine belt really is. And what does a serpentine belt do? Where is the serpentine belt, and how long does your serpentine belt last?
What Does A Serpentine Belt Do?
Your air conditioning compressor, alternator, and power steering pump all receive power from your serpentine belt. Sometimes it is capable of providing power to the water pump as well.
To maximize efficiency, nearly all modern engines equip a serpentine belt tensioner to ensure optimal belt tension alongside facilitating effective power delivery across the engine.
What Is a Serpentine Belt? The main description of a serpentine belt is that it’s a long, looping rubber single belt containing multiple components as opposed to multiple belts that are used to drive each accessory individually.
The crankshaft pulley, which is powered by the engine, is the starting point for the serpentine belt, and the belt moves to the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor.
These accessories are powered by the engine simultaneously through a single serpentine belt. Reducing maintenance efforts through multiple belts.
Through precision engineering, serpentine belts are optimally fuel efficient and rugged, allowing for several years of use before needing replacement. However, wear and tear can result in the belt becoming loose, worn, or even broken. This results in the engine losing power, and accessory components failing due to power delivery issues.
A spring-loaded arm, commonly found in most vehicles, keeps tapes in proper tension and alignment to the rotary components that drives the serpentine belt.
Incorrect tension and misalignment cause accelerated wear, so the belt would need to be replaced sooner. The longevity of the belt is improved due to the fact that the tensioner aids in keeping the belt properly aligned.
It should be noted that in some instances, the serpentine belt will drive the water pump which powers coolant circulation through the engine and the radiator. This is why a serpentine belt malfunction is an issue not only for the accessories, but for the engine’s cooling system as well.
Serpentine Belt Diagram
In the case of a serpentine belt, an illustration aids in showing the order of the pulleys listed, generally referred to as a serpentine belt diagram. This diagram acts as a guide for reference marking the installation and replacement of the belt.
A diagram can help to show the pulley or other component associated with a belt that is either squealing or slipping.
Because path features different vehicles can vary, it is important to check the user’s or repair manual for the vehicle in question to get the correct diagram for routing the serpentine belt.
How long does a serpentine belt last?
As mentioned by West Brook Toyota, a serpentine belt is expected to give service for a distance ranging from 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles or between 5 to 7 years.
Under more severe conditions however, exposure to extreme cold, heat, or chemicals could necessitate earlier replacement.
A vehicle’s make and model, its driving conditions, and the belt’s quality all have an impact on how long a serpentine belt lasts.
It is best to visually check the belt during maintenance and replace it if there are any noticeable signs of wear.
Aside from manually tensioned belts that require adjustments from time to time, some have self-tensioning mechanisms that wear over time and require servicing. Recall that in most cases when these belts break, the car will cease functioning.
Belt damage can lead to failed steering and a number of other systems becoming difficult to function. Not only is that a threat to losing critical components functionality, but also seriously limits controllability.
Common Signs of a Failing Serpentine Belt
The impact of a belt failure is severe. In addition to significantly restricting a person’s ability to drive, snapping the belt under heightened pressure can cause critical damage to the vehicle’s other systems.
Taking the features above into consideration, here are five ways to know when it is time to replace the serpentine belt:
#1. Your Air Conditioning is Not Working.
If your air conditioning unit suddenly stops functioning this might be the problem. You should also observe that the air conditioner unit is not turning on and there is no sound being emitted from it. Also, there will be no cold air being released from the vents.
There are many reasons that might cause the AC not to operate. In this case, do check the accessory drive belt.
#2. Squealing Sounds.
If it sounds as if your car is trying out for a new reality show—Hog Calling For Ranchers, check the serpentine belt immediately. This can be described as a problem as a car’s serpentine belt makes noise while the vehicle is not moving or idling.
It usually occurs when the belt is slipping or hasn’t been aligned properly, causing it to be most noticeable on a cold morning before the engine warms up.
Both scenarios seem to be easy fixes—tighten the belt and check if it is positioned correctly. Other circumstances would imply purchasing a new belt instead.
#3. No Power Steering.
The lack of power steering may be alarming to some people. It is as if the vehicle is nearly impossible to steer the moment steering assistance is disabled.
While power steering is extremely useful when it’s functioning, in the event something goes awfully wrong, it feels like trying to navigate a military tank through a narrow alley.
In older model cars that did not include a power steering feature, driving is still possible. Although with less modern vehicles, it becomes far more challenging, particularly at lower speeds.
The lack of fluid in the power steering pump or damage to the pump itself may also be the head of the problem. Regardless, make sure to check your serpentine belt.
#4. Overheated Engine.
For some vehicles, this tends to be a common problem as the water pump is belt driven. When the belt breaks, the water pump stops functioning, which inevitably means the engine will overheat. Continuing to drive with this complication will pose some serious issues.
Closely monitor the temperature if needed to drive to the mechanic. To reduce the chances of the engine seizing due to overheating, maintain driving speed while going slow.
Having the vehicle towed saves costs in the long run, despite being slightly more expensive initially. The added peace of mind knowing you won’t have to spend a fortune replacing the engine is invaluable.
#5. Belt is Cracked.
It’s a good idea to perform a quick maintenance check during the intervals of getting an oil change, which is recommended at least every few weeks. Care to assess the condition of your car’s belts as well as other components? Do some parts need to be tightened, while others require immediate changes?
You should replace your serpentine belt if it is cracked or damaged in any way. While waiting until it breaks is an option that some choose and reserve for the worst case, this trait is reckless because it may potentially cause substantial destruction to your vehicle.
In most cases, this part is not only inexpensive, it is also quite simple to replace. So there is no valid reason to delay this form of maintenance.
What Happens to A Car When the Serpentine Belt Breaks?
When the belt wears out, is damaged, dirty, or breaks, the engine accessories can no longer rotate at the correct speed, which affects the entire electrical system.
The vehicle may experience an unexpected loss of steering power assistance leading to the steering wheel becoming very difficult to move. The water pump’s circulation of coolant through the engine can be stalled by a broken serpentine belt, which ultimately makes the engine overheat.
In the most severe case scenario of alternator issue, all of the electronics in the vehicle will come to a halt along with the head lights dimming as the battery will stop recharging and power will no longer flow to charge other battery powered electronics like the radio turning the vehicle off entirely.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Serpentine Belt?
Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, replacing a serpentine belt may cost you anywhere between $70 to $200. Labor coverage will be an additional $150 and the serpentine belt itself costing roughly $50.
That said, standard cars will pay much less than luxury cars as the cost for them will skyrocket and could set you back anywhere between $200 to $600.
Serpentine belts are not standalone units and often require neighboring parts like tensioners and idle pulleys to be replaced as well and might be an added drain to the pocket.
A certified mechanic or dealership will be able to determine the exact price as the traditional cost factors apply, for example, year, make, model, region of a mechanic, and labor fees.
Should I Replace the Belt Myself?
Replacing a serpentine belt can be easy for some people, but requires a good set of mechanical skills as well as the right tools.
If you are skilled enough with cars and have the required equipment, doing a serpentine belt replacement shouldn’t be difficult. That said, having the right equipment such as a serpentine belt tool will make the process a lot smoother.
In case you aren’t good with fixing cars, it can be smart to have a professional handle the belt replacement. Doing this will save you from making mistakes while ensuring everything is put back together correctly without risk of causing unwanted damage to the vehicle’s parts.
It’s also worth noting that some cars have the serpentine belt hidden away and require special equipment or experience to reach, so checking the vehicle repair manual or consulting a professional in advance of attempting any DIY work is advised.