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Is serpentine belt important?
The serpentine belt plays an essential role in running your car’s systems, explains TheDrive.com. It powers the alternator, the power steering pump, the air conditioning compressor and, in some vehicles, the water pump. The serpentine belt rotates constantly when the car is running.
Does a serpentine belt affect timing?
Serpentine Belt vs. Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The serpentine belt and timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync.
What happens when serpentine belt goes bad?
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.
Should I replace my water pump with the timing belt?
Generally, the idler pulleys, tensioner and water pump should always be replaced when the timing belt is replaced. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, so it is the right time to replace the water pump.
Can you drive without 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. Without the serpentine belt, the power steering pump, which provides hydraulic pressure, no longer functions.
Should I replace my serpentine belt?
The serpentine belt “snakes” around several components of the engine, transferring mechanical power to nearly every critical part. Under normal conditions, the belt needs to be replaced every 4 to 6 years. When these cracks become bad enough the belt will chunk pieces off and eventually break.
Should serpentine belt Replace timing belt?
If the timing belt breaks, the pistons, valves, and cylinder heads will be very damaged – even requiring a new engine in some cases. Whereas, in the event your serpentine belt breaks, you will be able to simply replace the belt in most instances, without major damage to the engine.
How often should a serpentine belt be changed?
60,000 to 100,000 miles
How often does a serpentine belt need to be replaced? Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
What is the average 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 do you know if serpentine belt needs to be changed?
The easiest way to know that a new serpentine belt is needed is if you hear it squealing while the engine is running. A heavy rainstorm might cause a bit of squealing, but if there are any fluid leaks, it’s time to replace it right away.
What’s better timing chain or belt?
Most automakers recommend replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Timing chains are heavier and more complex than timing belts, but they also last much longer. Really, unless there’s a problem, timing chains don’t have a replacement interval.
What’s the difference between a serpentine belt and a timing belt?
The serpentine belt is the belt that you can actually see when you lift the hood of your car and take a look at your engine. Your timing belt is more obscure and hard to find, usually covered with a case that keeps it away from sight deeper in your engine.
What is the purpose of the timing belt?
The timing belt gets its name because its main function is to maintain the proper timing of the engine’s valves in the engine’s combustion chamber. The timing belt accomplishes this function by driving the car’s internal components. These include the: Read our in-depth post on timing belts here. Where Is The Serpentine Belt Located?
Why is the serpentine belt called the Snake belt?
The most important accessories of your car engine depend on the serpentine belt for their power needs. The reason why it is called the “serpentine” belt is the belt acts like a snake. Not only is it a continuous snake-like belt, but it coils on these other accessories to provide them with power.
How often does a serpentine belt need to be replaced?
The replacement interval for a serpentine belt is generally between whichever comes first, 7 to 9 years or 90,000 miles. Check with your mechanic or owners manual for the interval for your specific vehicle. Replacing a serpentine belt is usually a very simple process.