What happens if you don't replace serpentine belt?
You'll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
What are signs of a bad serpentine belt?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/Drive Belt
Does the serpentine belt affect timing?
A serpentine belt may power the air conditioning, alternator and power steering pump on your car. A slipping timing belt will affect the engine timing, resulting in the valves opening at the wrong time. This can result in decreased performance and even engine damage if left untreated.
Related Question Can a serpentine belt cause transmission problems?
What can cause a serpentine belt to break?
The most serious failure is when the serpentine belt breaks completely. This is usually the result of a belt in poor condition, or a problem with one of the accessory components being driven by the belt. A failed bearing in a pulley being driven by the serpentine belt will also cause the belt to break.
What happens if your belt is too tight on your car?
If a belt is too tight in a system, it can add stress to your bearings. The added stress to bearings can result into over amperage of your motor and potential motor failure. When a belt is too loose: When a belt sits loose on a pulley, the belt can slip while in motion and cause extra friction.
What can happen if your serpentine belt is too tight?
If the belt is too tight, it will cause excessive side loads and overheat the bearings. This in turn causes noise, decreased output and even the seizing of the alternator. If the belt is too loose, it will cause the alternator to slip. This slipping can cause the alternator and the battery to work harder.
How long does it take to fix a serpentine belt?
It usually takes approximately thirty minutes for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt. With the right tools and equipment, an auto mechanic can complete the process within thirty minutes to an hour.
What is a glazed serpentine belt?
A serpentine belt that is shiny looking is referred to as a glazed belt. This glazing happens as the belt is polished from slipping on the pulleys; usually due to a lack of grip from belt wear, or a belt tension problem. Once a belt glazes, it will usually never grip properly, no matter how tight it is adjusted.