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. A broken serpentine belt stops the water pump from circulating coolant (antifreeze) through the cooling system, and the engine can overheat - anywhere! Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts by hand. Is there anything else that may have caused a fairly new belt to break? If your belt looks fine and isnt dry, there can be an issue with the idler pulley. This time, they said the water pump froze up, broke the serpentine belt and bent the pully on the tensioner. If you keep hearing that high pitch squealing whenever you start up your engine, there can be different causes for it. Such a belt tensioner can make a loose serpentine belt fall off the tensioner. Once you have replaced the belt, be sure to check the tensioner pulley and alignment again to make sure everything is in working order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'psychoautos_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); If you have a brand new serpentine belt that broke, dont panic! Second, if the pulleys are misaligned, the belt can rub against them and wear down.Third, if there is something wrong with the tensioner or idler pulley, they may not be able to keep the belt tight enough, causing it to slip and shred. The repair shop replaced the belt and the tensioner. If it looks OK, try realigning it. Your water pump broke. the relay clicks when i turn on the key but the fuel pump dont do. In this instance, the only way to stop the serpentine belt noise is by getting a replacement belt installed by a mechanic. Get your vehicle towed to a shop, or get the shop to tow it. Check that each pulley is spinning before disconnecting the belt. 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. A serpentine belt replacement might be the easiest thing a mechanic may do for you. The average serpentine belt replacement cost is between $60 and $150, depending on the car model and labor costs. What Can I Do If I Hear A Serpentine Belt Noise? Be careful on how much you tighten the belt . Otherwise, youll just end up having to replace the belt again in short order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'psychoautos_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'psychoautos_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',181,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-181{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. If you notice that your alternator belt is starting to show signs of wear, its important to replace it before it completely shreds.A new Alternator Belt only costs a few dollars and can save you a lot of money in repairs down the road.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'psychoautos_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-leader-4-0'); If your cars engine is making a whining noise, it could be the tensioner pulley. This item: Hayden Automotive 5971 Idler and Belt Tensioner Pulley. The good news is new car models come with durable belts (engine belt, alternator belt, timing belt, etc.) Do not overwhelm the belt, as you would with WD-40. First, try replacing just the damaged portion of the belt. I actually had no idea my fairly new gator belt was shredding. I had no spare and had a tow truck here to tow my car to a tire shop. A new one may not solve your problem. Can You Jumpstart a Car With a Bad Alternator? The true replacement cost will depend on how long it takes the mechanic to access your alternator belt. Fortunately, its quite easy to detect this issue. If you want a quick answer on what happens to a car when the serpentine belt breaks or wondering how damaged your car may be from it. The starter motor and ignition system will crank the car's engine to get the combustion process started. As you give the car gas to raise the engine speed, this rhythmic sound should speed up. I am wondering though how can I prevent mud/water from splashing up into the entire belt assembly, including the alternator I find it inevitable that if im crossing say a dotch woth water in it that it will splash up into the alternator and cause this to happen again, do they sell special skid plates/brush guards to protect the alternator and serpentine belt assembly, can I or should I build one? any ideas. Its your car telling you somethings not right, and it may be your cars broken or old belt. The most common symptom of a bad serpentine belt is warning lights on your dashboard. If the serpentine belt snaps off, the alternator will not charge electricity anymore, and if you keep driving, your car engine will stop running after a while. Brakes Locking Up In Reverse? Okay so here is what happened. It is constantly moving, rotating as the car is running. So it sounds like your issue is almost identical to mine. Last night was the first I drove on the highway at considerable speed. Your email address will not be published. Guys, I'm starting to lose my mind with this belt problem. JavaScript is disabled. If you have a separate belt for the AC pump and it fails, everything else might work except the air condition. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Since the serpentine belt takes a lot of work, it can squeal, especially in critical moments such as startup and acceleration. When one broke, that one part didnt work but the rest did. What to do if the squealing noise continues: New Serpentine Belt Squeals When Accelerating: What to Do? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. However, you should get your old belt replaced with a new belt after around 75,000 miles. The part cost is between $25 and $80 while the labor cost is between $75 and $120. Be careful on how much you tighten the belt you can cause the bearings in the alternator to fail.I had the same thing happen to mine the po went mudding and got mud in the alternator and the alt locked up months later. If it is not, adjust it until it is aligned properly. If the alternator bolts are loosened to allow it to be tilted forward, the belt should be able to be positioned over the pulley. Hey jbroas, thats exactly what my belt looked like when the second on self-destructed after the belt and tensioner were changed 25k miles previously. Don't. You will not make it, your engine will quickly overheat causing catastrophic damage to it. Does the Brand of Serpentine Belt Matter? If you dont want to experiment, just get the OEM ones. You can also check the belt to see if there are small cracks to determine when to change the belt. 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. There is no separate alternator 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. You have got something out of whack there, take a straight edge, like a metal ruler or framing square and line up the pulleys, try to find one that is out of whack. Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims. The squealing noise from the serpentine belt usually happens during startup and acceleration. Hearing a sharp squeaking noise or a loud grinding noise are tell-tale signs of wear. Pretty normal after almost 60k miles. that last longer. The weather can also affect how long a serpentine belt will last.Cold temperatures can make the belt material brittle and prone to faster damage. One of these parts is the alternator belt. 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. 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 a nutshell, a new serpentine belt can still squeal even if its a new replacement. Lubricate the belt. Spray an adequate amount of WD-40 to gently coat the region where the scream occurs on the belt. But if you start hearing loud squeals coming from the serpentine belt, you know it is time to replace it. I wouldn't have guessed a 2012 Volvo would use a timing belt though. New Serpentine Belt Squeal on Startup: What to Do? Also, car is almost brand new, how the hell this happened? I've heard of early failure before but six weeks on a brand new belt. 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. And then that's where the coolant is coming from. 3. I changed out the stocker at like 39,000 miles cause it was chirpping like crickets. Additionally, antifreeze can drip onto the belt if there's a leak in the hoses. That can include vehicles in areas with extreme hot and cold temperatures or where cars are driven long distances at higher speeds regularly. You may find a route chart near the engine or on the bottom of the hood over most cars. Its a convenient auto repair solution thatll bring you the best quality serpentine replacement belt and install it. The alternator belt is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the alternator.Over time, this belt can become worn and even shred. Make sure to check all your pulleys for any rough edges and look at your water pump just behind the tensioner pulley (Looking for leaks). (Explained), F1 Steering Wheel Cost (Why Is It So Expensive?!). Just replaced both serpentine belts in my car, was not . 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. A shredded belt can cause serious damage to your engine, so dont take any chances! The mechanic tried four different Alternators. If there are any cracks, you have a dried belt that can snap anytime. Its a single, long, looping belt that drives multiple engine components: the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. The whole thing is made up of a pulley system with spinning pulley grooves that hold the belt in place as it whips around. Here's how to tell your serpentine belt is bad. To avoid the belt being saturated, use short, quick blasts. A serpentine belt noise can also come from a fan belt that has started to dry out. Now, if your belt is a new replacement, then youll want to look at the pulley first. Due to the serpentine belts importance, there are many symptoms you may experience when it goes bad or snaps off. A serpentine belt noise can also come from a fan belt that has started to dry out. One thing to note is to avoid overdoing the lubrication as it may also damage the belt. Photo (optional) Thus, if you have a new one, then the problem is likely from the pulley. SOOOO frustrating. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. A car engine needs an alternator always to charge electricity to the car battery. to acquire those all. If you need your vehicle checked out and repaired please call Andrew of Kris 456-0722 at CarMasters, thanks, Jim, Free Jeep Grand Cherokee repair estimates, See More 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Questions, i feel a ticking in the gas pedal and the steering wheel, Why does my Jeep shut off when I put it in drive? Belt not put evenly on all the ribs of the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and A/C clutch pulleys. 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. In this article, well learn how to identify serpentine belt noise, what causes it, and what to do about it. ACDelco 4K378 Serpentine Belt. He has been writing about the automotive industry for several years, providing in-depth reviews, analysis, and commentary on the latest car models and technology. RepairSmith brings the shop to you. I do remember having the belt replaced within the last 6 years after the mechanic said it was looking worn out, I do plan to have my brother in law replace the belt tomorrow and you have given me plenty of information to take to the Mechanic on Monday so I can ask questions. Its likely that the problem is not with the belt itself, but with one of the pulleys it runs on. Small cracks dont necessitate changing out the belt right away but are a good indicator that a replacement will be due soon. Is your car belt squeaking or makes noise on startup until it gets warm? The most noticeable symptom of a bad serpentine belt is that cracks start to occur on the belt. Dodge Ram 1500 Starts But Wont Stay Running What Could Be The Problem? 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. A damaged or failing serpentine belt that makes a squealing noise and is usually a serious matter. 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. Give this a try and buy some Dielectric Grease It works instantly every time to fix that annoying belt chirp, squeak or squall on startup or even intermittent squeaks. A brand new serpentine belt can still produce squealing noise, especially if the tensioner pulley is worn out. First, if the belt is too loose, it can slip and cause the teeth to wear down. Most mechanics tend to recommend the OEM ones because they are known to last longer. If the belt is off, wiggle all the pulleys to see if one is loose. I watched closely to make sure it the routing of the belt was correct and also that the belt lined up properly on all the pulley's. Looked under the hood, saw a bit of steam, and it smelled of burning.probably the belt. What Is a Serpentine Belt and What Does It Do? If your serpentine belt breaks while youre driving, youll probably notice it right away. Let me know if you have any questions. 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. Such a large load can cause a worn-out belt and tensioner pulley to squeal. SOURCE: GP with 3800 V6 keeps shedding the serpentine belt. Thus, you may worry about it when it squeals during a startup. tundrasolutions.com is not in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. If it is loose, tighten it with a wrench. You can often see this directly by inspecting the belt. Have you had this problem since? If your serpentine belt is shredded, its definitely time for a new one. Did you know its not just the serpentine belt (alternator belt) that causes the squeal or other noises? Related: Can You Jumpstart a Car With a Bad Alternator? There are some parts in your car that are necessary for many functions to work at all. I replaced the whole tensioner assembly with a brand new one. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Your car can also be installed sideways, and this means that your car is located near the right fender of your car in most cases. How Much Does a Replacement Serpentine Belt Cost? RELATED: Idler Pulley Noise Common Reasons & Information. They said they were going to do a "safety check".. What does a worn serpentine belt sound like? If you got any questions or concerns, feel free to leave them below. went and got new belt and put it on and it turned over but no start. Also, since WD-40 is a water-displacing lube, it should dry out the belt ribs. The night he got the care from the shop, the belt broke again. What should you do?And why is the serpentine belt making a noise in the first place? My husband thinks the water pump may not be working. Overdoing the spray will cause significant slippage and eradicate 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. 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. I wonder if this is common for the Malibu Eco model since the engine has the "auto stop" feature . It is recommended to check all pulleys and tensioners while replacing the belt to ensure they are functional and in good condition; otherwise, they may cause your new belt to fail very soon again. 1. The good news is serpentine belts last longer than in the past. Before you install a new serpentine belt, make sure to find faults in the hydraulic belt tensioner. But if theres something wrong with the pulleys, theyll need to be fixed or replaced before putting on a new serpentine belt. the whole thing ran about 35 bucks for the belt at amazon. They seize - then the belt sildes over them - overheating and breaking. They had a new tire balanced and mounted in about 15 minutes. I would guess your big thing is to make sure the pulleys are smooth, not damaged, and completely on each pulley when the new one is put on. Like in an engine startup, the new serpentine belt squeals when accelerating because the engine places a large load in the alternator, and this part runs through the belt. Two rebuilt Alternators and two new ones. One of the most common reasons a serpentine belt will shred is due to it being old and worn out. It should be centered on all of the pulleys. I was a jet fighter mechanic in the USAF so im used to attention to detail pertaining to mechanics. In this article, well walk you through this matter and help you understand a bit more about this issue coming from your serpentine belt. Is your serpentine belt making a squealing noise? 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. The EDDM rubber used is both crack and temperature resistant, which means that it is likely to last longer in your car. Get it replaced with a new belt as soon as possible because the process is relatively inexpensive and quick. $17.39 + $9.17 shipping # 6K480 AC Delco Serpentine Belt. I purchased a new belt at Napa Auto Parts and had a local garage do the work. I have replaced the belt and the car cranks over but won't start. When it snapped it hit your expansion tank and it exploded. Jan 17, 2017. The reason is that your engine places a significant load on your alternator during these moments. Serpentine belts dont break often, but if it does, what will happen to a car when the serpentine belt breaks? it act like it wants to start but it wont. Let your mechanic check the belt and determine if theres a misaligned pulley or belt tensioner. 6K480 AC Delco Serpentine Belt New for Toyota Corolla Nissan Sentra Eclipse Ford. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. In most cases, it will be on the belt itself and the pulley. Find the sound and search for a link between the sound and belt movement. I would guess your big thing is to make sure the pulleys are smooth, not damaged, and completely on each pulley when the new one is put on. The serpentine belt pulley bearings are more likely to fail than the belt. Give this a try and buy some Dielectric Grease It works instantly every time to fix . The AC pump often has its own smaller serpentine belt for just the AC pump in many car models, not in all of them, though. Serpentine belts are not very expensive, so this shouldnt be a costly repair job.If you keep an eye on your serpentine belt and replace it before it tears completely, you can avoid damaging your engine and save yourself some money down the road! $21.96. The belt may slip off or it may break, causing your engine to overheat. 6. If your car battery light is on, you should definitely park your car and check what is wrong. 2010 Odyssey EX RES Canadian. Second, dont overload your engine by putting too much strain on the belt. A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. I thought the Napa belt was a decent buy. The idler pulley has to be strong enough to hold the serpentine belt in place with the right tension as it spins. 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. Make sure that all of the doors are firmly closed. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. He said that he had lots of complaints from customers about them being noisy and/or squeaking. 2010 Honda Odyssey EX-L; 150,000 miles; VCM is Muzzled (original VCMuzzler) Cleveland, Ohio USA. The cost for the new part should only be anywhere from $40 to $90, while the cost of the labor will be anywhere from $40 to $110. Click to enlarge. The serpentine belt is located on the front of the engine because the crankshaft pulley powers it. A bad serpentine belt would produce the following symptoms: You can also visually identity a bad serpentine belt by: There are many things that will happen to a car when the serpentine belt breaks, including: To better understand what will happen, essentially everything listed in this serpentine belt diagram will either stop working or work inefficiently.