QA

Question: How To Install A Serpentine Belt

Fan belt replacement: Check the tensioner first. Check for excessive movement. Check the pulley/roller. Rotate the tensioner and slide the drive belt off the pulley/roller. Measure wear with an app. The right tools make it a do-it-yourself project. Remove the belt with a serpentine belt tool. Place the new belt.

What tools do you need to put on a serpentine belt?

Tools/Supplies Needed: ratchet and socket set. torque wrench. new replacement belt. new tensioner. new pulley. wrench set. jack and axle stands or ramps.

How long does it take to replace a serpentine belt?

It can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour (two at the most) to repair or replace a bad serpentine belt with a new belt.

Does it matter which way you put on a serpentine belt?

Are Serpentine Belts Directional? Because nearly all serpentine belts are symmetrical, a new belt’s direction of rotation usually doesn’t matter. What does matter, though, is that the new belt is routed correctly around the pulleys. It’s also important that the grooved side of the belt faces toward the pulley grooves.

Can I replace a serpentine belt myself?

Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.

What happens if you put a serpentine belt on wrong?

In some instances it may be possible to install a serpentine belt the wrong way. If this happens, one or more pulleys will rotate in the WRONG direction, affecting the operation of the alternator, water pump, A/C compressor or power steering pump. This can cause major problems.

Can you put a serpentine belt on without tools?

The serpentine belt in most modern vehicles transfers power from the crank pulley to the various accessories mounted on the engine. If your serpentine belt needs to be replaced, it can be done using only common hand tools.

Do you need a torque wrench for serpentine belt?

You need a digital ft-lb torque wrench.

How far can I drive without a serpentine belt?

There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.

Will a car start with a broken serpentine belt?

Yes, a vehicle can start with a broken serpentine belt, assuming the battery is fully functional. The starter motor and ignition system will crank the car’s engine to get the combustion process started. However, you’ll need the serpentine belt if you want your car running for long periods.

How expensive is it to replace a serpentine belt?

A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around $100 to $195 to replace your serpentine belt.

Can I drive my car without a belt?

Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. Without the serpentine belt, the power steering pump, which provides hydraulic pressure, no longer functions.

Which side of the belt goes on the pulley?

The smooth side of the belt goes on smooth pulleys (as shown on the idler pulley pictured above), while the ribbed side wraps around the grooved pulleys.

What side of belt goes against pulley?

Following your routing diagram, install the new belt. Make sure the grooved side of the new belt is placed against the grooved side of the pulleys. (Your car may or may not have grooved pulleys.) Tighten the belt by compressing the tensioner.

What happens if you put a timing belt on backwards?

If you put the belt back on in the opposite direction, the ribs end up in different pulley grooves than the ones they’ve adapted to over time. This means that the belt has to re-adjust to a new abrasion pattern, which will lead to a dangerous loss of belt tension.

Is fan belt same as serpentine belt?

Sometimes called a fan belt, alternator belt, or accessory drive belt, the serpentine belt is spun by the engine crankshaft and, in turn, spins, or “drives”, the accessories. The belt should be changed as part of your routine preventative maintenance schedule to avoid failure or breakage while driving.

Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing belt?

Timing Belt. Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons so the engine runs smoothly.

Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?

A belt shouldn’t be over-tightened. A pulley bearing can be ruined by an over-tightened timing belt.

What happens if tensioner pulley breaks?

When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise. Symptom 2: Knocking or slapping. This can cause a slapping or knocking noise.