Since the serpentine belt controls so many devices in a vehicle, there are obvious dangers of having a bad belt. The alternator belt is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the alternator.Over time, this belt can become worn and even shred. Picture 1 of 1. There are a few things that can be done to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.First, make sure that you regularly check the condition of your serpentine belt and replace it if necessary. I just put on new serpentine belt and my 2014 fiesta won't start. The belt starts to slide and scream if it does not retain continuous adherence to the different pulleys. Its a new Alternator. If you have a Mini Cooper, it is important to check the condition of the belt regularly.If you see any signs of wear, such as cracks or fraying, you should replace the belt as soon as possible. Picture Information. They will be able to tell if the belt is too loose or has any other issues that could cause it to fail. In some cases, a torn serpentine belt can even cause your engine to seize up.If you think your serpentine belt might be starting to tear, look for signs like cracks or fraying in the belt. In short, this belt plays a vital role in an engines performance. The bottom line is, if you spot issues with your serpentine drive belt, get it checked out by a professional mechanic ASAP. Its likely that the problem is not with the belt itself, but with one of the pulleys it runs on. Jul 30, 2021. If its loose, then theyll tighten your idler pulley. The serpentine belt pulley bearings are more likely to fail than the belt. Losing power on a freeway or having an overheating engine while driving can not only put you in danger but can also cause others to wreck, depending on the situation. Immediately, turn the key back to the right, or unlocked, position. If the replacement belt isnt installed properly, even a brand new belt and new belt pulley wont stop the squealing noise. The most common Pulley to cause problems is the idler pulley, which may be misaligned or have a bad bearing.When you suspect that your idler pulley is the problem, check it for signs of wear or damage. In this article, you will find the most common symptoms of a bad serpentine belt, the location, and the replacement cost. THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED: TELL ME WHAT U THINK,,IS IT THE COMPRESSOR Put New tensioner idler pulley and New Serpentine Belt Charge: $280.002. Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? I wouldn't have guessed a 2012 Volvo would use a timing belt though. Without it or with seized belt tensioners, a serpentine drive belt will start to slip, damaging it faster. This pulley can break down over time. Finally, there could be something wrong with the actual belt itself, such as cracks or other damage. I wouldn't drive 60 seconds without the water pump working. Michael's knowledge and expertise in the field are evident in his writing, which is both informative and engaging. I actually had no idea my fairly new gator belt was shredding. Sep 17, 2017. We recommend Parts Geek for the best prices and selection. Question type: Maintenance & Repair. Did you know its not just the serpentine belt (alternator belt) that causes the squeal or other noises? ACDelco Professional PT2288 Alternator Pigtail. May 8, 2018. i took out my serpentine belt, cleaned it, took out the rocks and splinters and put it back on. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. I've never even heard of that. Hence is it better to replace a serpentine belt if you know its bad, as the expense of fixing the vehicle will dramatically rise as other parts may need replacing as well. I was just doing some searching through old posts and started reading about this TSB. First, try replacing just the damaged portion of the belt. The serpentine belt plays an essential role in running your car's systems, explains TheDrive.com. About two weeks ago I started it up and the serpentine belt was squealing. So, you may ask: If my new serpentine belt squeal on startup, what should I do? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The answer is overheating, no power steering, no AC, or just outright engine failure, whether it happens now, or later. So I took it somewhere cheaper to get the Napa belt put on and that broke apart in just over a month. First, if the belt is too loose, it can slip and cause the teeth to wear down. The serpentine belt in my son's 1999 Chevy Lumina broke. $21.96. Michael is a passionate car enthusiast and experienced blogger. But how do you know if the serpentine belt went bad? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Also, humidity on the ribbed side of the belt is frequently the source of belt squeals. Thankyou, I will check the pulleys first thing in the morning. If any components like power steering pump, A/Compressor, alternator, harmonic balancer (not just idler or tensioner) has a pulley that has a loose bearing or bent will cause wobble, has a bearing or internals seizing, has damage to a pulley that is damaging a belt, has a pulley misaligned or a defective belt. (Explained), F1 Steering Wheel Cost (Why Is It So Expensive?!). Some cars have check engine lights that illuminate when the belt gets worn. Buying a Used Car: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid, How to check the engine when buying a used car, Timing belt: when should it be replaced, what happens if it breaks, Alternator, how it works, symptoms, testing, problems, replacement, Check Engine light: what to check, common problems, repair options, Check Engine Light: What to check first, repair options, Easy car maintenance checklist with photos, Difference between DOHC, SOHC and OHV engines, Ways to Protect Your Catalytic Converter from Theft, Catalytic Converter: problems, replacement options. $275 to fix it this time. Can You Drive With a Shredded Serpentine Belt? 2. You should pull over as soon as possible and call a tow truck. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 3 months ago. Spray an adequate amount of WD-40 to gently coat the region where the scream occurs on the belt. The replacement cost of an alternator belt is typically between $100 and $200. It is constantly moving, rotating as the car is running. 3. (Explained). This sound is often correlated to each revolution of the engine. Sometimes it gets louder, too. We started the engine, double checked the alignment of the belt of the pulley's and figured I was good to go. If the tensioner or the shock absorber gets bad, the pressure on the serpentine will increase significantly and would become the cause of serpentine belt breakage. Suspect either your idler pulley or belt tensioner pulley. Looking for a mechanic near you for maintenance or repair? How To Diagnose DODGE RAM 1500 Grinding Noise When Turning? Make sure that all of the doors are firmly closed. I bought a new belt and installed it. So a local reputable garage did the job with the belt I purchased. You should not drive at all with a broken serpentine belt. The most noticeable symptom of a bad serpentine belt is that cracks start to occur on the belt. Additionally, if any of the alternators pulleys are worn or loose, the belt might scream. Unfortunately, you cant wash off the antifreeze once it has sunk in on the belt, and it damages the belt immediately. Brand NEW Serpentine Belt ACDelco 6K480. Here are some things you can do to stop your new serpentine belt from squeaking: Lift the hood of your engine bay and start your car. How Much Does a Replacement Serpentine Belt Cost? in the middle of them is this Sonata 4 Cyl Drive Serpentine Belt Replacement that can be your partner. Only 5 left in stock (more on the way). If your serpentine belt keeps shredding, its likely due to one of two issues. Once youve established that the belt needs to be replaced, please take a note of the belts route before pulling it. Locate the tensioner pulley near the front of the engine. The NAPA belt should have a warranty, but there have been a few other threads reporting problems with NAPA belts. I replied back with a classic "Come on now, I just bought the belt for $50 and it took me 10 mins to swap it out".. Everything just shut down. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Most mechanics tend to recommend the OEM ones because they are known to last longer. Our number one pick is this V-ribbed serpentine belt. Serpentine belt broke. The serpentine belt powers a range of components in the engine, including the alternator, water pump, and power steering. If youre not sure how to change serpentine belt yourself, dont worry its a pretty easy job for a mechanic or even a reasonably handy do-it-yourselfer. Could the battery be low and not allowing the engine . This can cause the belt to slip or even break while you are driving, leading to costly repairs. Successful 90k Service with Videos Miles - 186000 Everything worked great, its been about 1500 miles and yesterday my wife heard a loud ping and had no steering. This is the most important aspect of a quality serpentine belt because good rubber will help it last longer and withstand more wear. 2. A serpentine belt noise can also come from a fan belt that has started to dry out. Serpentine Belt-DIESEL ACDelco 6K480. This happens over the years due to friction, leading to cracks in the belt. When Should a Serpentine Belt Be Replaced? Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood. Dont take this lightly because a squeaky belt can also harm your engine. When one broke, that one part didnt work but the rest did. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 6. My serpentine belt needed replaced and the tensioner got broke during the belt replacement process. Slip the serpentine belt over the new alternator pulley. I made a toy android app that does this a while back, it uses opencv DNN functionality with the MobileNetSSD network to isolate objects in a picture and the GrabCut algorithm to cut them out of the background - you can try and replicate this process in python. I double checked the routing and the position of the belt on all the pulleys before starting it up and then checking again after it was running making sure all was as it should be. Dodge Ram 1500 Has No Electrical Power How To Troubleshoot This Issue? $29.48. This can be an additional $50 to $150. You may also notice other warning lights like a power steering warning light or hydraulic pressure warning light. As the pulley rotates, the serpentine belt moves and powers the vehicle's accessories connected to it . Why Does My Brand New Serpentine Belt Squeal? I guess my mechanic will check all the pulley's to see if there are any rough edges on the pulleys. The alternator pulley's bearings become stiff under electrical load or otherwise under belt tension load. Over time, belts can become worn and cracked from heat and friction.If theyre not replaced before they break, they can cause serious engine damage. It should be centered on all of the pulleys. This applies more to older car models, but many new cars have their water pump powered by the serpentine belt, even though a lot of car models water pump is driven by the timing belt or chain. The true replacement cost will depend on how long it takes the mechanic to access your alternator belt. If that doesnt solve the problem, youll need to replace the pulley. The whole thing is made up of a pulley system with spinning pulley grooves that hold the belt in place as it whips around. fixed that. If you have a 14mm socket and a good 1/2 pry bar the job is easy to do at home. . I can. Feb 4, 2011 (Edited) So my serpentine belt broke on my way to work this morning, but luckily it was a straight 7 mile road and it was about -15 this morning so it didnt get hot and i didnt have to turn or stop but once. Don't. You will not make it, your engine will quickly overheat causing catastrophic damage to it. The serpentine belt transfers power to many different functions in your car, and therefore, a failed belt can cause some issues. If youre unsure which it is, take your car to a mechanic and have them take a look.If the problem is simply that the belt is old, then replacing it should fix the issue. Even the tiniest bit of coolant fluid can damage a serpentine belt or drive belt. The answer is overheating, no power steering, no AC, or just outright engine failure, whether it happens now, or later. Must use oil on the bolt, must use new serpentine belt, must use the 3rd version tensioner pulley, must torque the bolts exactly (not close - exactly) AND must replace the A/C housing. This is particularly true if you lose control of your power steering. Our scenarios are mirrored. In most cases, youll need to fix or replace the pulley to stop the squealing noise. Get a free instant quote today. However, what needs to be mentioned is that usually, when you replace the serpentine belt, you often want to replace some pulleys and the automatic tensioner if your car is equipped with one. Votes on non-original work can unfairly impact user rankings. Fortunately, professional mechanics can fix any misaligned pulley or replace any tensioner pulley easily. Why does my brand new serpentine belt squeal? Last night was the first I drove on the highway at considerable speed. Belt glazing happens after it has been sliding throughout the surface of one or more pulleys for an extended period, and it is generally visible as a reflecting shine on the textured sides. . Your email address will not be published. Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims. The best thing to do about this is to check where the squealing noise originates and see if your pulley also needs replacement. Does the Brand of Serpentine Belt Matter? Your belt is adjusted by moving the power steering pump,loosen all 3 pivot bolts and adjustment is made with the bolt that goes into the side of the lower P/S pump bracket, if your belt is smoking something is locking up most likely the alternator. Overdoing the spray will cause significant slippage and eradicate the belt. If the belt is heavily cracked, has damage to any of the ribs, or showing the cords I would recommend replacing the belt as this will not fix a damaged belt.Here is an Amazon Affiliate link to the exact product I use. There is not much else you can do. Be sure to get the correct size for your car. 3. Island Splashes - Crystal G. Reece 2013-07-12 I have replaced the belt and the car cranks over but won't start. The most common causes of squealing come from a worn-out serpentine belt. put a brand new battery in. The idler pulley has to be strong enough to hold the serpentine belt in place with the right tension as it spins. SOOOO frustrating. However, if you hear any kind of unusual noise coming from your engine area, its definitely worth checking to see if your serpentine belt is the culprit. Serpentine belt broke because the tensioner pulley failed and the belt shredded. If these cracks increase in number, the belt tension and the tightness in the pulley system will reduce, resulting in slippage or snapping. Let your mechanic check the belt and determine if theres a misaligned pulley or belt tensioner. Clearly, proper tension is necessary. So you would need the belt and the bearings/pulleys. There is a TSB for replacing the idler pulley on the '07 & '08 models. The serpentine belt is located on the front of the engine because the crankshaft pulley powers it. Most newer car models have an automatic tensioner for the serpentine belt, but some older ones have a manual tensioner, which you might have to tension the belt to get it right and stop squealing. While prices range depending on the area, mechanics will charge between $100 and $200 to replace the belt. Call a mechanic to check the tension on the idler pulley. Luckily, its easy to align the tensioner pulley yourself.Heres how: 1. In most cases, it will be on the belt itself and the pulley. Brand new. What does a worn serpentine belt sound like? Most mechanics suggest replacing the water pump when they replace the serpentine belt. $30.50. This belt is made of rubber and it can wear out over time.If the belt wears out, it can start to shred. 3. Find the sound and search for a link between the sound and belt movement. The serpentine belt (also known as a fan belt, alternator belt, or drive belt) is a critical car component. Third, the belt may feel loose when you touch it.All of these are warning signs that its time for a new belt. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. i noticed a very fine spray of coolant coming from the housing that holds the thermostat and routes coolant to a number of hoses. Since acceleration puts a lot of load in the alternator, it can cause excessive work for the belt to squeal. Deals of the day up to 25% off satisfaction guarantee wholesale prices Universal Timing Serpentine Belt Tool Tension Setting Kit Remover Installer i3us.us.es, US $90.64 Free shipping for many products Find many great new & used options and get the . Free shipping. One of the idler pulleys get stiff under load due to lube being dried out or bad bearing. C $58.06 Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for For Multi Rib Serpentine Belt 6K 2115 Continental for Porsche 911 Boxster Cayman at the best online prices at Free shipping for many products . The serpentine belt is glazed if the scream does not cease or returns rapidly. Can A Car Start With A Broken Serpentine Belt? Remember that the front of your engine does not always equal the front of the car. (Click on the links below to jump to a specific section). Have you had this problem since? TheDrive.com explains it this way: With a pulley system and a . If the alternator bolts are loosened to allow it to be tilted forward, the belt should be able to be positioned over the pulley. Shot me an offer I'll be back Seattle 03/12/2023 to show up the car. Get it as soon as Thursday, Feb 23. Oct 14, 2013. Dayco 89007 Tensioner & Idler Pulley. Serpentine belts dont break often, but if it does, what will happen to a car when the serpentine belt breaks? Tundra Solutions Forum - the best community to talk, mods, price, repair and research your Toyota! I now look at it weekly. The shredded pieces of the belt can get caught in other parts of the engine, causing them to break or malfunction.In addition, the shredded bits of rubber can clog up filters and other systems in your car. I used a floor jack, axle stands and a serpentine belt tool (CAD29.99). There are a few signs that your serpentine belt may be getting ready to bite the dust. Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts by hand. If not, you can spray some water-displacing lube such as WD-40 to remove the noise. As previously stated, this sort of noise is generated by a relative slide between the belts and pulley and will generally grow in intensity as the rpm advances. A buddy and I were replacing the belts on his wife's minivan in my driveway. What to do if the squealing noise continues: New Serpentine Belt Squeals When Accelerating: What to Do? You can also check the belt to see if there are small cracks to determine when to change the belt. The tensioner pulley keeps the engine belts tight, so if its not functioning properly, the belts can slip and cause all sorts of problems. The reason is that your engine places a significant load on your alternator during these moments. You may also hear a squealing noise coming from under the hood when you start up your car. The serpentine belt is the main drive belt in most modern cars. Jul . Take belt off and spin pulleys- maybe bearings on either binding up and throwing belt off track and shredding. If it looks OK, try realigning it. Some cracks might happen pretty fast even if the belt is not completely worn out, but it is definitely time to replace it if it is full of cracks. SOURCE: GP with 3800 V6 keeps shedding the serpentine belt. 30" MH Cheater Slicks on 16"x10" ProComp Wheels! The belt tensioner provides the correct amount of belt tension, allowing the serpentine belt to operate optimally. Over time, the belt can become worn and start to tear. How far can I drive with a broken serpentine belt? Brand New Serpentine Belt Broke. I haven't driven it much in the last few months. Hover to zoom. Re-tighten the nut to secure the tensioner pulley in place. If your serpentine belt is shredded, its definitely time for a new one. I drove the truck and everything was fine. Went to install the new belt, and it would not fit, after 10+ attempts. If youve ever had your serpentine belt shred, you know its not a pleasant experience. The car has a new serpentine belt, new belt tensioners, idler pully and water pump. These prices do not include added taxes and fees charged by the auto shop. (Track Use), 07 5.7 Metallic Slate DC / 15" custom lift, 2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. If your cars engine is running, chances are the serpentine belt is too.The serpentine belt is made of rubber and reinforced with fiberglass or Kevlar cords. Get your vehicle towed to a shop, or get the shop to tow it. Not even a squeak or chirp now. it act like it wants to start but it wont. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. The engine turns this pulley, so when you turn your vehicle's engine, the crankshaft spins, and this motion turns the pulley. I pulled over immediately and shut off the engine. Funny thing is I called Toyota when my origianl serpentine belt broke apart at 60k miles to get a quote and all they gave me was a price to replace the belt. You will notice it because the steering becomes really heavy if it is not working, so heavy that it may actually be dangerous. This type of noise will typically increase in volume as the engine speed increases, and is caused by relative slip between the belt and pulleys. Replacing it before it causes damages will keep you and others safe, mean less damage to your car, and save you money at the auto shop. Either way, the coolant is going to damage the belt and lead to squealing. Even though you come across some belt dressing products that claim to reduce the squealing or squeaking noise, youll mostly need a replacement belt to fix the belt noises. Only ASE-certified and experienced technicians working on your vehicle, Advanced equipment and high-quality replacement parts used for your cars repair, Quick and convenient online booking for all your repairs and services, Upfront and competitive prices guaranteed, 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty on all repair and maintenance services. Can you replace a serpentine belt yourself? I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. As I mentioned earlier, even a new serpentine belt can squeal when you accelerate, and its because the pulley where it runs is worn out. A new one may not solve your problem. Gates K080400 Micro-V Serpentine Drive Belt. the whole thing ran about 35 bucks for the belt at amazon. I was able. First, you might notice a squealing noise when you start up your car or accelerate.This squeal is caused by a lack of tension on the belt as it spins around the pulleys. It is part of what keeps your car running smoothly. While replacing a serpentine belt is a relatively simple process that takes about an hour or two, replacing a broken serpentine belt and fixing any damage caused by it can take days. Oct 5, 2010. Yes, a vehicle can start with a broken serpentine belt, assuming the battery is fully functional. Expansion tank is on the right side of the radiator. Also includes 13mm, 14mm and I replaced the serpentine belt the day after i replaced the battery. :argh 1: Save Share. And all the key engine components will stop functioning. You may find a route chart near the engine or on the bottom of the hood over most cars. Several things can cause a belt that is not old to fail. Mark helpful. I notice a burning smell and a few minutes later the serpentine belt broke. You can often see this directly by inspecting the belt. The mechanic tried four different Alternators. If it doesnt, the belt may slip, and the annoying squeal will start. They seize - then the belt sildes over them - overheating and breaking. If your vehicle utilizes a hydraulic belt tensioner (a belt tensioner where a shock absorber supports the spring of the belt), issues can manifest in other ways. Second, you might see cracks or fraying on the surface of the belt. If your car battery light is on, you should definitely park your car and check what is wrong. Since all cars now have one belt that powers many important vehicle parts, a broken belt means you have no torque for many different parts. Second, dont overload your engine by putting too much strain on the belt. We have a 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco model and serpentine belt recently broke while my wife was driving it.