Serpentine Belt Problems

A serpentine belt is an important part of all automobiles today. It replaced the numerous belts that drove different auto parts of the older models. This belt is used in the alternator, power steering pump, A/C pump, and also the air pump. It gets its name from the fact that it rolls over a number of parts of the machine that it is used in. The serpentine belt is also known as the 'S-belt'. It was invented by Jim Vance, while he was employed with the Gates Rubber Company of Denver, USA.

Serpentine Belt Problems

Serpentine belts are cheaper to be produced and easier to repair. They also provide packaging advantages at the front of the automobile engine. However, there are a couple of problems with serpentine belts that affect the performance of a vehicle. With constant use, the serpentine belt experiences excessive wear and tear. Even heat and cold take their toll on this belt. This may cause the belt to break. A broken or slipped serpentine belt may lead you to lose control of the car, in case the power steering pump loses power while you try to drive the car. Another common problem is a loose belt. In this case the car may make a screeching noise and it may be difficult to drive the car as well. Accessory load, quality and quantity of the accessories, and exposure to road debris also reduce the longevity of the serpentine belt. The tell tale signs of serpentine belt problems are cuts, cracks or other forms of damage on either sides of the belt. If, during inspection, the serpentine belt appears to be glazed or has chunks missing, it is an indicator that it needs to be replaced.

Serpentine Belt Replacement

It is usually advised to replace a serpentine belt once the car has covered 45,000 to 60,000 miles. However, in case any physical damage is seen in the belt, replace it immediately. Besides these general guidelines there may be specific criteria according to the make of the vehicle for serpentine belt replacement.

Remove the Tension
The first step towards serpentine belt removal is to remove the belt tensioners. Refer to the service manual for any tips specific to the make of the vehicle. Make sure that you are using the right tool and be aware of where the tool is positioned while using it. It is very important to be careful while relieving tension from the belt. Belt tensioners are sprung very tightly and any slip during the tension removal process can cause serious injury to the worker. It may also damage the surrounding area under the hood.

Remove the Belt
Now that the tension is released, the next step is to remove the belt. Try to remove the belt from the part that is most easily accessible. Try removing from the largest pulley that the serpentine belt winds around, as it is with this pulley that the serpentine belt has the maximum area in contact with. Once this is done, one has to just pull the belt out of the engine bay. However, in certain cases, some other parts of the engine, like the splash shield, need to be removed before the belt can be dislodged from its set of pulleys.

It is important to be alert about serpentine belt problems, as a malfunctioning serpentine belt can affect a number of accessories of a car. During regular servicing of the vehicle, get the serpentine belt checked for any problems.