5 Symptoms of a Bad Serpentine Belt
Have you heard a loud squealing noise under your hood? Has your power steering or air conditioning suddenly stopped working? This could be a sign that there’s a problem with the serpentine (drive) belt that drives vital components in your engine.
Learn the common signs of a bad belt, how much it will cost to replace, and whether you should try to replace it yourself.
Common Signs of a Faulty Serpentine Belt
A broken belt can be pretty serious. A broken belt can make your car difficult to drive, and if it breaks under high tension it can also damage other vital systems.
Here are 5 ways to tell when it’s time to replace your belt:
1) Your air conditioner isn’t working
If your air conditioner suddenly stops working, this could be the problem. You’ll notice that your air conditioner isn’t working and isn’t making any noise. You also won’t see any cool air escaping through the vents. Several things can affect the operation of your air conditioning system, but just to be safe, check your power take-off belt.
2) Squeaking noises
If your car sounds like it’s practicing for a boar competition, check your belt immediately. This usually happens when the belt slips or moves out of position, and it’s most noticeable on cold mornings before the engine warms up. In the other situation, you’ll need to buy a new belt instead.
3) No power steering
Loss of power in the steering mechanism can be a bit scary. It’s as if the car stopped steering overnight. Power steering is great when it works, but when something goes wrong, it makes you feel like you’re driving a heavy tank.
It’s possible to drive without power steering (most older cars didn’t have it), but it requires a lot of effort, especially at slow speeds. It could actually be a faulty power steering pump or a lack of fluid, but it’s worth checking the belt.
4) Engine overheating
This problem is common on cars that have a belt that drives the water pump.
- If the belt breaks, the water pump will not work and the engine will overheat.
- If you continue this problem, you will not be able to avoid trouble.
- If you have to drive to a workshop, keep an eye on the temperature. Drive slowly and carefully to avoid overheating the engine and stalling. The safest option is to have your car towed. It will cost a little more, but not as much as a new engine.
5) Broken V-belt
It’s a good idea to do a quick maintenance check every few weeks or when you change your oil. Check the belts and other parts in your car. You could wait until the belt breaks, but then you risk causing even more damage to your car. In most cases, belts are relatively easy to replace and aren’t that expensive. There’s no excuse for putting off this repair.
Should I replace the belt myself? For safety reasons, there are some repairs that should always be left to a professional, but this is not one of those situations.
- If you have some mechanical knowledge, YouTube will fill in the gaps.
- If you are sure you know what you are doing, this is an ideal solution.
- If not, ask for help.
It will save you a lot of money and it is not a complicated job, so we recommend only the average DIY user try it themselves. You will probably be surprised at what a drive belt replacement can do. Is it safe to drive a car with a faulty fan belt? This is a question I get asked a lot. In an emergency, you may be able to drive your car, but you want to be extra cautious.
If the belt breaks, it can make your car difficult, if not impossible, to steer. If the belt starts to fray, it will break quickly, so it’s best to replace it. Do the right thing and call a mechanic right away. Not doing this can cause major damage later. What happens if your belt breaks on the highway? Our best advice is to pull over and have it towed to a shop.
How a Serpentine Belt Works
It’s simple mechanics. The straps are attached to various connection points. When the engine starts, the belt is activated. He is pulled and tightened. The belt drives other components in the system. They move because the belt moves. A faulty serpentine belt tensioner can affect your air conditioning, power steering, and alternator.