What makes a serpentine belt need to be replaced?
These include a misaligned power steering pump pulley, idler pulley (s), automatic belt tensioner pulley, water pump pulley (which may be due to wear in the pump shaft bearings), and even a worn or loose harmonic balancer.
How often should I replace my V-belt?
Serpentine belts last a lot longer than older V-belts ever did, but they still wear out over time. The typical replacement interval for serpentine belts and flat belts today is around 90,000 miles – which for many vehicles means only once every seven to nine years!
Why is my serpentine belt making a noise?
If that pulley moves, that means that the belt groves are no longer running in a perfect plane and that alone can cause noise. With regard to the various ball bearing (and greased) mounted pulleys and accessory pulleys, the grease in those bearings eventually dries out and that can contribute to or cause noise of the type you are describing.
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.
Why do serpentine belts have to be replaced?
Thanks to improvements in rubber technology, serpentine belts last much longer than they did back in the day. Most serpentine belts generally last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Eventually, your car’s serpentine belt will wear down from continuous exposure to heat and friction and will need to be replaced.
What is the cost of a serpentine belt replacement?
The costs of replacing a serpentine belt greatly depends on the make/model of the car you drive, the mechanic you hire and where you live. For just the parts, most serpentine belts retail for $15 to $45, but if you needed to hire a mechanic to replace it, then the costs could increase…
What is the average life span of a serpentine belt?
The lifespan of the serpentine belt will depend mostly on the type of material it’s made of. Older style belts generally last about 50,000 miles, while those made from EPDM can last up to 100,000 miles.
How do I put on serpentine belt?
Snap a long-handled ratchet or a serpentine belt tool into the square 1/2-in.-drive or 3/8-in.-drive opening. Or use a socket on the hex-shaped protruding nut. Slowly rotate the tensioner arm as far as it will turn. Then release the tension.
How to change your serpentine belt on a Dodge Ram?
A simple video about how to change your serpentine belt on a 2010 Dodge Ram. Music By: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r…. A simple video about how to change your serpentine belt on a 2010 Dodge Ram. Music By: Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: https://soundcloud.com/musictoday80/r….
Where do I find the serpentine belt routing diagram?
Find the serpentine belt routing diagram. Many cars come with a sticker in the engine bay that shows exactly how the serpentine belt is supposed to be routed through the various pulleys on the engine. If your vehicle does not have a sticker, you will need to find another way to remember how the belt should be run.
Why is my serpentine belt cracking under the hood?
That awful squealing beneath the hood may be coming from a frayed or cracked serpentine belt. It’s a crucial part of the engine assembly—here are step-by-step instructions for replacing your serpentine belt without bringing your car to the shop.
Can a loose serpentine belt cause an alternator to whine?
If the belt is too loose to maintain grip on the alternator pulley, you may experience a similar symptom as a snapped belt. If you start to notice a whine from the engine that changes with engine speed, you may want to have the tension of the serpentine belt double checked.
What are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt?
Top 7 Bad Serpentine Belt Symptoms. 1 1) No Air Conditioning. A malfunctioning air conditioner can be attributed to a lot of things. Since the serpentine belt keeps the air conditioner 2 2) Squealing Sounds. 3 3) No Power Steering. 4 4) Overheated Engine. 5 5) Visible Cracks on Belt.