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Can you replace an alternator belt yourself?
Regardless of which design your vehicle uses, you will likely have to replace the belt that powers your alternator at some point in the lifetime of your vehicle. You can replace these belts yourself using common hand tools.
What belt connects to the alternator?
The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and—in some cases—your water pump running smoothly and effectively.
Does alternator belt have to be tight?
The belt works by friction not by being ‘tight’. It needs to be tight enough to ensure that all friction surfaces of the belt and pulleys are in ‘firm’ contact. Sure. Some shops tighten them excessively so eventually you’ll need an alternator or water pump in the near future when the bearings fail.
Can you drive without an alternator belt?
Once the car is running, the alternator supplies the power for these functions, AND recharges the battery. You can drive your car without either of those belts. However, you won’t get very far without the belt that turns your alternator.
How long does it take to change an alternator 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.
How much does it cost to fix alternator belt?
The replacement cost of an alternator belt is typically between $100 and $200. The part cost is between $25 and $80 while the labor cost is between $75 and $120. The true replacement cost will depend on how long it takes the mechanic to access your alternator belt.
Is the alternator belt and serpentine belt the same thing?
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 an alternator belt the same as a drive belt?
An alternator belt is known by many names including the drive belt, fan belt, v-belt or a serpentine belt. Made of rubber, the belt is prone to deterioration over time, and due to its position next to the engine, excessive heat and general wear will lead to a brittle drive belt that is prone to cracking.
Can you over tighten an alternator belt?
Dear Anthony: A belt should never be over-tightened. An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.
How tight should idler pulley be?
When twisted either way from the middle, the tension in the belt must not be more than 12 inch. The belt is too tight if it is twisted more. The positions do not work for the vehicle.
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.
How much slack should an alternator belt have?
Check the tension of the belt by pushing inward on the belt with your hands. The belt should have no more than a 1/2 inch of slack to be properly tensioned.
What happens if alternator belt breaks while driving?
The alternator powers all the vehicle electrics and recharges the car battery. If the serpentine belt breaks, the alternator stops generating electrical power. If that happens, your headlights will dim, the radio won’t work, and the battery will die.
What causes alternator belt to come off?
The serpentine belt need constant tension on the belt to keep it from coming off. If the belt alignment is not aligned then the belt may come off. When this is out of adjustment or the tensioner pulley itself is loose this may cause the belt to come off as you describe.
What happens if the alternator belt breaks?
The serpentine belt is also known as an alternator belt, fan belt, or accessory drive belt. If your serpentine belt wears out, becomes damaged or contaminated, or breaks, engine accessories will not be able to spin at the proper speed, leading to decreased power to the electrical system.
What does a broken alternator belt sound like?
Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood. The battery-shaped charging system warning light might also come on because the alternator will stop charging the battery. As the belt wears out, the belt rubber hardens and cracks.
Can you put a serpentine belt on with no 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.
How long can a car drive without alternator?
It entirely depends on the capacity of the car battery. If the battery does not have a full charge, the vehicle may run from 5 to 30 minutes. The runtime will increase in case of a fully charged battery.
