Can you drive when serpentine belt goes bad?
There are parts that may hinder your car from functioning; especially the serpentine belt. Now, how well are you familiar with the functions of this belt? The serpentine belt, also known as the Multi-vee, poly-v, or multi-rib belt is used in the driving of multiple peripheral devices in the engine.
What causes the serpentine belt to make a noise?
The noises made by the belt can be diagnosed by a simple spray bottle of water. Lightly mist the grooved sides, if the belt while the engine is running. If the noise disappears and later comes back, then that may be caused by a misaligned pulley.
Is the timing belt the same as the serpentine belt?
No, a timing belt is not the same thing as a serpentine belt. A timing belt is used to synchronize the moving parts of your crankshaft and camshaft. Your serpentine belt as we previously discussed is used to drive the accessories of your car.
Is the water pump driven by the serpentine belt?
Another important device driven by the serpentine belt is the water pump. This is not always the case as on a lot of cars the water pump is driven by the timing belt. You should have this in mind so you don’t falsely “accuse” the serpentine belt for overheating.
Is it safe to drive with a broken serpentine belt?
Do not drive your car with a broken serpentine belt. Your car will overheat because the serpentine belt drives the water pump (and without a serpentine belt, the water pump doesn’t circulate coolant through the engine and radiator) and it also drives the alternator which keeps the battery charged.
What are the symptoms of a broken serpentine belt?
There are various symptoms that may indicate your car’s serpentine belt is wearing down, including: Squealing or chirping noises: When the serpentine belt starts slipping, it may begin to chirp or squeal . This sound indicates that there is belt stretch, low belt tension, or the pulley and belt are not working together correctly.
How long does it take to replace the serpentine belt?
For professional automotive technicians with the right tools and training the replacement of a serpentine belt usually takes about 30 min to an hour. This time varies by the make, model, and year of vehicle that you’re driving as some take longer than others.
When serpentine belt breaks?
When a serpentine belt breaks, all drive power to whatever it turns is lost. This means the water pump stops circulating coolant through the engine, the alternator quits producing power, the power steering pump ceases to assist steering, and the air conditioner quits cooling.