If you have owned your vehicle for at least two to three years, you may have heard your mechanic recommend replacing the serpentine belt at a scheduled engine repair service. What is a serpentine belt and what does it have to do with engine service you ask? Just about every late model car and truck use a serpentine drive belt. It is a single ribbed belt that drives the various pumps and accessories; such as the A/C, power steering, and alternator.
Unfortunately, a serpentine belt doesn't last forever. It needs to be inspected often to keep you from getting stuck with an inconvenient engine repair. If the belt is starting to go bad, you can have it replaced at a time of your choosing--not when the belt decides to break, requiring an urgent and costly engine repair.
Read your owner's manual for the recommended interval for replacing the serpentine belt. Checking ribbed drive belts at every oil change, and the position of the self-adjusting mechanism indicator will ensure notice bad belt long before it snaps.
Let's Take a Look at these 3 Warning Signs of Engine Trouble In Your Vehicle:
- If the serpentine belt gets oil soaked or glazed, it will slip and not provide the proper circulation to keep the engine cool. If there is oil on the serpentine belt, you will need to find out where it is coming from and have it fixed before putting on a new one.
- If you see any tears or abrasions on the serpentine belt, it means it is rubbing a pulley flange or bolt as it winds its way around, especially as the belt gets older. A pulley flange may need to be filed smooth or something bent out of the way.
- If you see any pinholes or bumps, it means dirt and debris is getting in between the serpentine belt and the pulleys. Turn the belt around and see if there are chunks of the ribs missing. A few, small chunks are okay, But if there are many or close together, it is time to replace the belt.
A Rule of Thumb for Engine Service: Schedule an engine service on a regular basis to have belts and hoses and checked. If there are any cracks (about 1/8 inch (or 3 mm) apart) on a belt or hose, it may be reaching the end of its serviceable life and should be replaced.
Having engine problems and need a quality engine repair? Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at (763) 441-2889 or go to www.elkrivertireandauto.com for more information about our engine service. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, MN, and Otsego, Minnesota.
If you have owned your vehicle for at least two to three years, you may have heard your mechanic recommend replacing the serpentine belt at a scheduled engine repair service. What is a serpentine belt and what does it have to do with engine service you ask? Just about every late model car and truck use a serpentine drive belt. It is a single ribbed belt that drives the various pumps and accessories; such as the A/C, power steering, and alternator.
Unfortunately, a serpentine belt doesn't last forever. It needs to be inspected often to keep you from getting stuck with an inconvenient engine repair. If the belt is starting to go bad, you can have it replaced at a time of your choosing--not when the belt decides to break, requiring an urgent and costly engine repair.
Read your owner's manual for the recommended interval for replacing the serpentine belt. Checking ribbed drive belts at every oil change, and the position of the self-adjusting mechanism indicator will ensure notice bad belt long before it snaps.
Let's Take a Look at these 3 Warning Signs of Engine Trouble In Your Vehicle:
- If the serpentine belt gets oil soaked or glazed, it will slip and not provide the proper circulation to keep the engine cool. If there is oil on the serpentine belt, you will need to find out where it is coming from and have it fixed before putting on a new one.
- If you see any tears or abrasions on the serpentine belt, it means it is rubbing a pulley flange or bolt as it winds its way around, especially as the belt gets older. A pulley flange may need to be filed smooth or something bent out of the way.
- If you see any pinholes or bumps, it means dirt and debris is getting in between the serpentine belt and the pulleys. Turn the belt around and see if there are chunks of the ribs missing. A few, small chunks are okay, But if there are many or close together, it is time to replace the belt.
A Rule of Thumb for Engine Service: Schedule an engine service on a regular basis to have belts and hoses and checked. If there are any cracks (about 1/8 inch (or 3 mm) apart) on a belt or hose, it may be reaching the end of its serviceable life and should be replaced.
Having engine problems and need a quality engine repair? Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at (763) 441-2889 or go to www.elkrivertireandauto.com for more information about our engine service. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, MN, and Otsego, Minnesota.
