Can you replace a serpentine belt yourself?

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.

What tools do you need to put on a serpentine belt?

Tools/Supplies Needed:
  1. ratchet and socket set.
  2. torque wrench.
  3. new replacement belt.
  4. new tensioner.
  5. new pulley.
  6. wrench set.
  7. jack and axle stands or ramps.

How much tension should a serpentine belt have?

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. Either of the positions does not work for the vehicle.

How long does it take to change a serpentine belt?

Some model vehicles have the serpentine belt easily accessible, which means the labor should take under one hour. But if the belt is in a more complicated area, it could take about 2 hours. Easy to reach belts can actually be changed at home with minimal tools.

How far can you drive without a serpentine belt?

Starting out with the engine cold, you can probably drive for between five and ten minutes before the engine starts to get hot. Two miles with the engine cold won’t hurt anything unless those two miles were in rush hour traffic and it took more than ten minutes or so to get to the shop.

Will a new serpentine belt improve performance?

If your old belt was glazed and slipping, then yes. The new belt does not slip therefore everything is turning and generating at full capacity, hence the improvement you see. Not really. All of your accessories(power steering, air-conditioning, etc.)

What does it sound like when a serpentine belt goes bad?

If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt. This could be due to a slippage or misalignment. The only way to make the noise go away is to contact a professional mechanic and have them replace the serpentine/drive belt or diagnose the issue.

Can you drive 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.

Can antifreeze damage a serpentine belt?

Yes. Antifreeze will cause damage the rubber compound in the belts. If you do not replace it now then it will slip and may cause the water pump installer to not warranty the work.

Can I put WD 40 on a squeaky belt?

Spray just enough WD40 onto the belt to lightly cover the area where the squeal occurs. Short, sharp blasts work best to ensure the belt is not saturated. Oversaturating the belt will result in severe slipping, which can permanently damage the belt.

What causes a serpentine belt to go bad?

Serpentine belt problems usually result from one of three causes: a defective belt tensioner; misalignment of a pulley; or, defective bearings in the tensioner, idler, or one of accessories driven by the belt (including the water pump).

Can you use brake cleaner to clean a serpentine belt?

You can clean it with brake cleaner but it might cause the belt to squeak. No, brake cleaner is normally either tetrachloroethylene or acetone.

Can you grease a serpentine belt?

Today, you should never put belt dressing on an EPDM-made serpentine belt. Belt dressing, and other oils and solvents, may quieten the belt noise when first applied, but these oils will actually cause the belt’s rib surface to become more aggressive once they dry out, leading to even more belt noise issues.

Does oil ruin serpentine belt?

Belts Contaminated With Oil Or Coolant Should Be Replaced. A little oil spattered over engine components doesn’t hurt. In fact, that’s the normal condition of many cars on the road today.

Will soap stop a squeaky belt?

Sometimes a belt will squeal upon starting a vehicle and will disappear shortly thereafter. That’s right, ordinary bar soap can usually stop the squealing when rubbed on a fan belt. Just a few rubs on the belt with bar soap can solve the bar squealing problem for quite some time and save money in the process.

What can I put on a squeaky belt?

How do I stop my aux belt from squealing?

How long does a squeaky belt last?

Thanks to improvements in rubber technology, serpentine belts last much longer than they did back in the day. Most serpentine belts generally last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Eventually, your car’s serpentine belt will wear down from continuous exposure to heat and friction and will need to be replaced.

How do I know if I need to replace my serpentine belt?

Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing 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.