How much should it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
How much should it cost for a serpentine belt replacement? But what does a serpentine belt replacement cost? Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs around $70-$200 (plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.
How do you replace a serpentine belt?
This is how I did it from start to finish:
- Drove vehicle up on front ramps
- Opened the hood and disconnected the negative (-) terminal
- Removed vehicle underskirt
- Removed the cover attached to the AC compressor
- Cut the AC belt with a pair of bolt cutters (I didn’t know if it would pop and snap me in the face so I picked something that I ...
- Released tension with socket wrench on the tension pully
When to replace serpentine belts?
If you suspect your serpentine belt is failing, watch out for the following symptoms:
- 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.
How to replace a serpentine belt?
How to Replace Your Serpentine Belt
- Note the placement of belt. Serpentine belts have that name for a reason. ...
- Loosen and unthread the belt. Before removing the belt, you’ll need to release the tensioner, which automatically keeps the belt taut while you’re driving.
- Check for damage. After removing the belt, inspect it for signs of damage. Many belts wear out over time, but some wear down due to misalignment or other issues.
- Install the new belt. Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley ...
How much does it cost to get serpentine belt replaced?
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.
Can I drive my car if the serpentine belt is broken?
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 long does it take to fix a serpentine belt?
Automatic belt tensioners, standard in most cars now, make changing a serpentine belt a simple DIY repair. Follow the clear photos and step-by-step instructions and you'll be done in 15 minutes.
What are the signs of a bad serpentine belt?
Common signs include a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt.
What causes a serpentine belt to break?
Serpentine belt problems usually result from one of three causes: a defective belt tensioner; misalignment of a pulley; or, defective bearings in the tensioner, idler, or one of accessories driven by the belt (including the water pump).
Will a car start without a serpentine belt?
The short answer is yes, your car will start even if the serpentine belt is broken or missing. To get the car going, the battery sends power to your starter motor. The starter motor provides enough power to get your engine moving and the combustion process started.
What happens if you don't replace serpentine belt?
You'll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
What happens if a belt breaks while driving?
Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.
How long can I drive with a bad serpentine belt?
between 20-90 minutesThere are a couple of factors influencing the answer to this question, but on average, your car should be able to run between 20-90 minutes with a broken serpentine belt. The engine will overheat faster without a functioning cooling system on a hot day, so your driving window is less.
What does a slipping serpentine belt sound like?
The symptoms of a loose serpentine belt include a loud squealing noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side. A serpentine belt that keeps slipping off the pulley is another symptom of a bad tensioner. The solution is to replace a serpentine belt and a belt tensioner.
How long can you drive a car with a broken serpentine belt?
between 20-90 minutesThere are a couple of factors influencing the answer to this question, but on average, your car should be able to run between 20-90 minutes with a broken serpentine belt. The engine will overheat faster without a functioning cooling system on a hot day, so your driving window is less.
What happens if drive belt breaks while driving?
Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.
What happens if you don't replace serpentine belt?
You'll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
Does the serpentine belt affect the transmission?
A Broken Serpentine Belt Could Ruin the Transmission If your car's serpentine belt breaks, the transmission could be damaged. Almost as soon as your car's serpentine belt breaks, the engine will begin to overheat. Without the belt running, the water pump won't be able to adequately cool your engine.
What is serpentine belt?
The serpentine belt is how your engine sends mechanical power from the crankshaft to various components such as the alternator , air conditioning compressor, and power steering just to name a few . This flat, rubber belt is ribbed on one side and smooth on the other.
How to tell if a serpentine belt is bad?
Common Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt 1 Squealing noise especially after driving through a puddle 2 Cracks, visible damage, or glazed appearance
Can a serpentine belt cause a check engine light?
A failed serpentine belt won’t lead to any check engine light issues, but it could cause severe engine damage if the belt is supposed to be connected to the water pump. This could cause the engine to overheat. Also, a broken serpentine belt will cause mechanical power steering systems to stop working, which could possibly cause an accident.
Can a serpentine belt be replaced?
Unlike older vehicles that used several belts, the serpentine belt allows engines to do this work with just a single belt. Most repair shops will recommend a serpentine belt replacement on mileage alone as preventive maintenance, but sometimes the belt shows signs of wear either through cracks, physical damage, or even a slick, glazed finish.
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
Serpentine belt replacement ranges from $40 to $220 and it depends on the car you drive, your mechanic’s pay rate, and where you live. For the parts alone, you may pay around $20 to $50 but if they’re hard to access or install then that could boost up the price.
How did we get these estimates?
We gathered information from hundreds of different message boards and third-party quote engines to give you a better idea about how much it costs for labor as well as parts.
Serpentine belt details
The serpentine belt is an important part of the engine. It is located in front of the engine and usually under a cover. It is an important component of the engine that rotates the crankshaft and cams synchronously, ensuring that each cylinder ignites at the right time
The serpentine belt repair process
If you do not know how to work on the engine, you will need help from an experienced professional mechanic to replace the drive belt. If you are good at mechanics, you can replace it at home by following the steps below:
Common signs of a malfunctioning serpentine belt
If the car has a broken drive belt, the engine will not be able to start and work properly. You can hear the engine starter start when you turn the ignition key, but because the drive belt drives the crankshaft and camshaft, it will not start.
How to replace serpentine belt?
Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley up top. Belt tensioners are mostly spring tension. Once installed, the spring retains pressure to the belt. Once on, make sure the belt is completely on and centered on each pulley very carefully. Then, start the engine. Let the engine idle for at least 60 seconds as you make sure the serpentine belt is working correctly. Replace any other parts or coverings you’ve removed before taking your vehicle for a spin. A serpentine belt replacement is an essential part of routine auto maintenance, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Get the parts you need from AutoZone.
What is serpentine belt?
The serpentine belt is aptly named for the way it snakes around the pulleys inside the engine bay. This long, winding rubber belt powers many of the important systems of your vehicle by transferring power from the engine’s crankshaft to the accessory pulleys. These pulleys rotate to power components like the alternator, power steering pump, ...
How to release tension on pulley?
Many have a ½” square cast into the tensioner arm, in which you insert a ½” breaker bar, or Belt Tensioner Tool to relieve the tension. Many others, you use a socket on the pulley itself to do this.
Why are serpentine belts called serpentine belts?
Serpentine belts have that name for a reason. They snake in and out of a series of pulleys and peripherals, and the path they weave through is unique to your model vehicle. To preserve the belt’s position, take a few snapshots from different angles or sketch the way it winds through the engine.
What happens if a serpentine belt goes bad?
What Happens When the Serpentine Belt Goes Bad? 1 Squealing from power steering or air conditioning: The serpentine belt controls peripherals such as power steering and air conditioning, and these devices take a lot of torque from the belt to turn, so if you turn the wheel, or turn on the AC and hear squealing, the chances are, your belt has worn. 2 Wear and tear: If a visual inspection of the serpentine belt reveals significant wear and tear, including cracks, separation, or damage, it’s time for a new belt. 3 Squealing noise under the hood: This may signal that the belt is slipping. Sometimes a new belt is not needed. The belt is kept tight through the belt tensioner. The tensioner is a self-adjusting pulley that maintains pressure on the belt to reduce slipping. At times, the bearings in the tensioner pulley become worn. This causes the squealing noise. Check these bearings when performing a belt change.
Why does my car belt make a chirping sound?
When this happens, you may hear a chirping or squealing sound. This could also indicate that the belt has stretched out and that there is a tension issue.
Why does my belt break?
If you have a recurring issue where your belt frequently breaks, or it breaks long before it should have, it is possible that an issue like pulley drag, obstruction or debris in the engine bay, or contamination of the belt and pulley from leaking oil or coolant.
What is a serpentine belt?
A serpentine belt is a relatively long, flat, multi-ribbed belt that is driven by the engine’s crankshaft pulley. The belt drives many, and often all, of the engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump, and air pump. The serpentine belt is tensioned by a hydraulic or spring-loaded ...
What happens if the serpentine belt breaks?
Additionally, if a deteriorated belt breaks and that belt drives the water pump, the engine will overheat in a matter of seconds.
How long does it take for a serpentine belt to overheat?
Engine overheating. Often, the serpentine belt drives the water pump. In those applications, if the belt breaks the engine will overheat in seconds to minutes. If the belt is inadequately tensioned, you may notice higher-than-normal engine operating temperature.
How many miles does it take to replace a belt?
Typically, belt manufacturers recommend belt replacement at 90,000 miles. However, the belt must be inspected for wear or damage at regular intervals prior to this high mileage. Squealing noise, belt slippage, visible belt damage.
What to do before removing a belt?
Prior to removing the belt, the mechanic must run the engine to determine if the idler pulley and the belt tensioner are noise-free. Those rotating components have grease filled bearings and are subject to wear. In addition, the mechanic will ensure that all pulleys and accessories are turning in the same plane.