What happens when the serpentine belt goes out?
A broken serpentine belt causes the water pump to stop circulating coolant through the engine’s cooling system, causing it to overheat. This can happen at any time, if the belt decides to go out on you.
What happens if your belt breaks while driving?
However, driving with a worn belt brings substantial risk, because if the belt in your vehicle does break while you’re driving, the results can be startling at the very least – if not dangerous. Many engine accessories are vital to your vehicle’s performance.
What happens when the multi vee belt goes bad?
When the multi-vee belt goes wrong, it slips out of position. It, hence, in the long run, end up wearing out everything. From the power steering pump to the alternator and air conditioner, all stops functioning. Consequently, the parts of the belt controls can end up damaged in that you may also need to replace them too.
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.
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.
When to proactively replace serpentine belt?
Serpentine belts can last for years and might only need to be changed once or twice over the life of the vehicle. The recommended industry standard is to inspect your belt at 60,000 miles for wear & tear and replace if necessary, and replace every 90,000 miles regardless of the appearance in order to reduce the chances of a breakdown.
When do you replace a serpentine 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!