In car repair, most people share the philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it', and see it as unreasonable to spend their money replacing car parts that are working fine, although this is usually more cost-effective in the long run. A serpentine belt is an essential component of your car but is not made to last forever. A failing serpentine belt affects your vehicle's performance and leads to issues like overheating and alternator problems. Read on to learn more about how a serpentine belt works and when it should be replaced.
What Is a Serpentine Belt?
The serpentine belt is a rubber strip that helps to deliver power to engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioner compressor, power steering pump, and water pump. It's also referred to as a fan, alternator, or accessory belt because of what it powers. Older vehicle models had multiple drive belts connecting these accessories to the engine. But today, modern vehicles have a single belt connected using pulleys to power the engine accessories efficiently.
Using one belt is an efficient and reliable option, but this also means that if your serpentine belt fails, your car stops working. The AC stops, you lose power steering, and the battery dies. The engine may get overheated, which could also damage the accessories it controls. So regularly checking your serpentine belt's state is very important.
How Does a Serpentine Belt Work?
A serpentine belt transmits the engine's rotational energy to the engine accessories. The belt uses a multi-grooved design to accommodate its bidirectional flexing, ensuring it is strong enough to deliver force to multiple parts. Each engine accessory has a pulley, and the serpentine belt connects these pulleys to the engine's crankshaft. So, when the engine crankshaft rotates, the pulleys also rotate, which powers the accessory.
Most vehicle engines also have an idler puller and a belt tensioner. The idler puller creates a good wrap angle between the belt and accessory pulleys by pressing against its back to prevent slippage. The belt tensioner helps to maintain the right tension for the belt to function optimally. Without a tensioner, the belt's tension has to be set manually.
How To Tell if Your Serpentine Belt Is Failing
The serpentine belt is used every time you drive your vehicle, and a damaged serpentine belt is a serious problem. In the worst case, your car may even fail to start since the alternator is not receiving power to charge the battery. Luckily, it is quite evident when your serpentine belt is failing since there are noticeable symptoms. Here are some signs of a damaged serpentine belt.
Battery Warning Light
Many issues can cause the battery warning light to come on, but a damaged serpentine belt is a common cause. As you drive, the serpentine belt helps the alternator to charge the vehicle's battery. Car batteries do not hold a charge for long, and if the serpentine belt breaks, your car might fail to start, and you are left stranded till you repair the belt. The serpentine belt may also fail even without breaking, mainly when the belt is loose and does not grip the pulleys, which causes problems.
Squealing or Whining Noises
The serpentine belt can make high-pitched noises during the early stages of damage. If you hear such noises, your serpentine belt is likely damaged and requires replacement. It may also indicate that the belt requires realignment or tension adjustment to position it properly on the pulleys. Whining sounds around the engine area indicate that the serpentine belt is wound too tight, and you need to check its tension.
No Power Steering
The serpentine belt delivers power to the car's power steering pump. The pump draws the power steering fluid into the pressure tube to create hydraulic pressure, ensuring the steering gear turns the vehicle's wheels with less effort from you. A damaged serpentine belt causes issues with your steering, and while it is possible to drive a car without power steering, it is more challenging since the wheel does not turn smoothly.
Overheating Engine
The serpentine belt keeps the water pump functional, and any damage to the belt may cause the engine to overheat. The water pump regulates the temperature of a car's engine, and when it fails, the engine can stop working or even suffer permanent damage if the issue is not addressed quickly.
Visible Cracking in the Belt
Sometimes you may not see any performance issues, but it does not mean the serpentine belt is in good condition. With time, the belt starts to wear and eventually develops cracks. When the belt reaches this stage, the car faces some problems. Therefore, it is essential to inspect your serpentine belt regularly and replace it if you notice any damage.
How Long Do Serpentine Belts Last?
Rubber is the primary material used to make serpentine belts. While the manufacturing technology has improved greatly over the years to produce more durable, long-lasting rubber, these belts still need periodic maintenance and replacement. The exposure to the atmosphere, oil contamination, and extreme heat contribute to the gradual wear of the serpentine belt.
On average, modern serpentine belts can get you 60000-100000 miles of service. However, if your annual mileage is a few thousand miles or you are driving a used car, you should not rely on that mileage interval as a guide for replacing your serpentine belt. The belt is still exposed to external factors and degrades even when unused. Consider replacing the serpentine belt every three to five years for vehicles with an annual mileage of fewer than 10000 miles.
Final Thoughts
The serpentine belt is a key component in your car, and despite its simplicity, it is responsible for delivering power to the car's accessories. Manufacturers recommend replacing the belt as part of your regular maintenance to be safe. Replacing the serpentine belt is not a complicated repair; it takes a short time to get you back on the road.
Is your Cadillac due for routine preventative maintenance? If so, have our experts at Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton inspect your serpentine belt on your next visit. We will thoroughly inspect your car to identify any belt damage and replace it at a reasonable cost. Also, if you're looking for used cars in Bradenton, we have amazing offers for our remaining 2022 inventory.
Call us today at 941-751-6886 or visit one of our convenient locations at 4780 14th St., Monday - Saturday.
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