QA

Question: Where Can I Buy A Serpentine Belt

How much does a serpentine belt cost?

A typical serpentine belt generally starts at around $15 and goes up to $80 at most. Add to that the labor costs that can range from $75 and $120. Altogether, you’re looking at around $90 to $200 (plus taxes and fees) to replace your serpentine belt.

Can I replace 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.

How do I know which serpentine belt to buy?

Measure the length of string it took to wrap around the path of the serpentine belt. Purchase a belt one size smaller than the size you measured. The actual belt will have tension on it, whereas the string doesn’t. For example, if you measured 80 inches, purchase a belt that is 79 1/2 inches.

How much does a serpentine belt pulley cost?

Idler Pulley Replacement Cost What is this? The cost to replace the idler pulley of your driver belt will usually be somewhere between $80 and $200. 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.

Is a timing belt the same as a serpentine 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 I drive without a serpentine belt?

Most vehicles do not use a serpentine belt to drive the engine’s coolant pump, driving such a vehicle without the serpentine belt is possible, but not advised. If however, your vehicle’s coolant pump is driven by the serpentine belt, driving without the belt will overheat and damage the engine.

How do you know when a serpentine belt is going bad?

Common signs include a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt.

How much is it to change a belt?

Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs around $70-$200 (plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.

Which belt is which on a car?

There are two belts you need to be familiar with when talking about car maintenance — the serpentine belt and the timing belt. The serpentine belt winds through your engine and carries power to several key components, including the alternator, air conditioning, and power steering pump.

What happens if a belt breaks while driving?

When the timing belt breaks, the crankshaft will continue to spin at 1000 rotations per minute, while the camshaft will stop turning. As a result, the pistons will continue to rise and fall in their cylinders, but they will strike closed valves.

What component should be replaced when replacing the serpentine belt?

While it’s not necessary, having the replacing parts such as the idler pulley, tensioner pulley, and water pump at the same time as the serpentine belt will end up saving you money in the long run, because removal of the belt is required to replace these components.

How much does it cost to replace a drive belt and pulley?

The average cost for a drive belt tensioner replacement is between $211 and $239. Labor costs are between $73 and $93, while parts are priced between $138 and $146.

How long is a serpentine belt supposed to last?

Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

How much does it cost to replace tensioner and serpentine belt?

The average cost for drive belt tensioner replacement is between $236 and $268. Labor costs are estimated between $80 and $101 while parts are priced between $156 and $167.

How long will a cracked serpentine belt last?

How long will a cracked serpentine belt last? Serpentine belts typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles (although some claim that they last anywhere between 30,000 to 150,000 miles).

What if my serpentine belt is cracked?

If a serpentine belt breaks, a car won’t be drivable and will have to be towed. If the engine runs without a serpentine belt, it might overheat as the water pump will no longer work. Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood.

What does a failing serpentine belt sound like?

Although there are a few causes of a squealing engine, one of the most common is a bad or failing serpentine belt. Belt squeaking is also especially pronounced when accelerating, on startup, and when making a U-turn. The noise is loud and sounds like a squeal, loud chirp, or squeak.

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.