When should a fan belt be replaced?

When should a fan belt be replaced?

A belt should easily last three or four years, if adjusted to the proper tension. It’s a good idea to have all of the belts replaced routinely every 30,000 to 40,000 miles when you have the engine tuned up. And you should also carry a spare fan belt in the trunk.

Can you drive with a bad fan belt?

It is best to not drive a car with a broken belt, even for a short distance. A broken serpentine belt stops the water pump from circulating coolant (antifreeze) through the cooling system, and the engine can overheat – anywhere! Furthermore, what are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt?

What happens if fan belt breaks while driving?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a fan belt?

It is very inexpensive to replace a serpentine belt whether it’s broken or loose. The replacement cost is only going to be between $100 and $200 in most cases. The belt itself will cost between $25 and $80 while the labor costs will probably be between $75 and $120.

Can you drive a car without a serpentine 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.

How much does it cost to tighten serpentine belt?

The required measure of tension in the serpentine belt is that it should not deflect more than ½ inch when twisted either way from the middle. If twisted more, the belt is loose, and if twisted less, the belt is too tight.

How do I know if my serpentine belt is loose?

The symptoms of a loose serpentine belt include a loud squealing noise when the engine is started or when the steering is turned all the way to one side. A serpentine belt that keeps slipping off the pulley is another symptom of a bad tensioner. The solution is to replace a serpentine belt and a belt tensioner.

How tight should car belts be?

For most vehicles, the belt should not be able to be pressed down more than ½ inch. If it can be pressed lower, then the belt is too loose.

What does a loose serpentine belt sound like?

A loose drive belt will often be noisy, squeaking a bit, or emitting a high-pitched squeal. The most obvious sign of a loose drive belt, though, is in its appearance and tension. Belts are used to rotate components on the engine assembly, such as a coolant pump (water pump).

How do you tighten a belt tension?

How to Loosen a Belt Tensioner

1. Park the vehicle on level ground and open the hood.
2. Locate the belt tensioner on the front of the engine.
3. Rotate the pulley on the belt tensioner counterclockwise to relieve the tension of the belt with the proper sized socket and ratchet.

Can you over tighten a fan belt?

Help! 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.