What should I do if my serpentine belt fell off?
If the battery warning light comes up while driving, the serpentine belt is the first thing to check. There are two “glow levels” of the battery light if you have a serpentine belt problem: This is the case if the belt snapped or fell off.
Why does my serpentine belt slip in the morning?
Very small amounts of water appear on the serpentine belt in the morning acting as sort of lubricant, causing the belt to slip. This, combined with the beginning of belt material fatigue will cause this sound. It usually disappears once the belt warms up a bit (like 10 to 20 seconds after the engine is started).
How can I increase the tension on my serpentine belt?
Increase the tension on the belt. If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.
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.
If the battery warning light comes up while driving, the serpentine belt is the first thing to check. There are two “glow levels” of the battery light if you have a serpentine belt problem: This is the case if the belt snapped or fell off.
How did the serpentine belt get its name?
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.
Very small amounts of water appear on the serpentine belt in the morning acting as sort of lubricant, causing the belt to slip. This, combined with the beginning of belt material fatigue will cause this sound. It usually disappears once the belt warms up a bit (like 10 to 20 seconds after the engine is started).
Increase the tension on the belt. If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.