Posts Tagged: serpentine belt
What causes a serpentine belt break or one that keeps breaking?
Learn the most common causes of a serpentine belt break or one that keeps breaking If you’ve had a serpentine belt break and it’s not due to normal wear and tear, here are the most common causes. A Worn Belt Tensioner can cause a serpentine belt to keep breaking The belt tensioner is designed to keep the proper tension on the belt while also dampening the power pulses produced by the engine. As a tensioner wears out, it loses its ability to dampen the power pulses, causing the belt to … Read More
Timing Belt versus a Serpentine belt — What’s the difference
Timing belt versus a Serpentine Belt — Different Belts for Different Jobs People often confuse a timing belt versus a serpentine belt. They’re both belts. They both get their rotational force from the crankshaft and use that force to drive other components. But that’s where the similarities end. A serpentine belt’s primary purpose is to rotate driven components like the alternator, AC compressor, Power steering pump, etc. Those driven components don’t have to be driven in time with the crankshaft. If a serpentine belt slips, there’s no harm, no foul. … Read More
How to Diagnose a Bad Serpentine Belt Tensioner Before It Fails:
Diagnose a Serpentine Drive Belt Tensioner Like a Pro When your car starts making strange noises or you lose power steering or AC, the culprit might not be the belt itself, but the serpentine drive belt tensioner. As an experienced technician, I’ve diagnosed and replaced countless tensioners, and I can tell you: catching the early signs can save you from a roadside breakdown or engine damage. Let me walk you through how I diagnose a failing serpentine drive belt tensioner, what belt tensioner symptoms you should watch for, and how … Read More
Why you should never use belt dressing
Why Belt Dressing Damages EPDM Serpentine Belts Vehicles made since the early 2000s are built using advanced EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) serpentine belts that are far more durable and efficient than the old neoprene belts of decades past. However, many drivers still reach for an outdated solution when they hear belt squeal—products marketed as belt dressing. While these sprays and liquids were once a quick fix for minor belt issues, today they do far more harm than good. If you’re dealing with serpentine belt noise, belt dressing will not … Read More