Is serpentine belt and timing belt the same thing?
Timing Belt. Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons so the engine runs smoothly.
Is a timing belt an alternator belt?
Timing belts synchronize the movement of the crankshaft and the camshaft as a main components for the engine, while the drive belt drives the engines accesories such as air conditioner, power steering pump, water pump, alternator, etc. A drive belt is cheap while a timing belt is expensive.
How does the timing belt and serpentine belt work?
In short, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft movements synchronized. The serpentine belt takes mechanical power from the engine and transmits it to several peripheral devices of the vehicle, such as the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor.
Where are the teeth of the timing belt located?
In certain types of internal combustion engines, the timing belt may also help run the oil pump and water pump of the engine. But in every engine, the timing belt’s main job is to keep the camshaft and crankshaft connected with its teeth. The inside surface of the timing belt is where the teeth are located.
When is the best time to replace a serpentine belt?
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.
Can a car start with a broken serpentine belt?
So if your serpentine belt brakes your timing belt will be unaffected and your car can still run. However, if your timing belt breaks you are going to have a bad day as this can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
In short, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft movements synchronized. The serpentine belt takes mechanical power from the engine and transmits it to several peripheral devices of the vehicle, such as the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor.
In certain types of internal combustion engines, the timing belt may also help run the oil pump and water pump of the engine. But in every engine, the timing belt’s main job is to keep the camshaft and crankshaft connected with its teeth. The inside surface of the timing belt is where the teeth are located.
So if your serpentine belt brakes your timing belt will be unaffected and your car can still run. However, if your timing belt breaks you are going to have a bad day as this can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
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.