This type of noise will typically increase in volume as the engine speed increases, and is caused by relative slip between the belt and pulleys. A serpentine belt runs the air conditioning, cooling system, alternator, and power steering pump. Do not overwhelm the belt, as you would with WD-40. Most mechanics suggest replacing the water pump when they replace the serpentine belt. So it sounds like your issue is almost identical to mine. Have one to sell? Two rebuilt Alternators and two new ones. Let me know if you have any questions. If you notice that your alternator belt is starting to show signs of wear, its important to replace it before it completely shreds.A new Alternator Belt only costs a few dollars and can save you a lot of money in repairs down the road.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'psychoautos_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-leader-4-0'); If your cars engine is making a whining noise, it could be the tensioner pulley. Some of the accessories include the alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor. Went back to parts store, replaced the purchased belt with a different one after verifying part number. It's likely that the problem is not with the belt itself, but with one of the pulleys it runs on. Make sure to check all your pulleys for any rough edges and look at your water pump just behind the tensioner pulley (Looking for leaks). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Did you know its not just the serpentine belt (alternator belt) that causes the squeal or other noises? Finally, there could be something wrong with the actual belt itself, such as cracks or other damage. i noticed a very fine spray of coolant coming from the housing that holds the thermostat and routes coolant to a number of hoses. Before you install a new serpentine belt, make sure to find faults in the hydraulic belt tensioner. They will be able to tell if the belt is too loose or has any other issues that could cause it to fail. I pulled over immediately and shut off the engine. Its a convenient auto repair solution thatll bring you the best quality serpentine replacement belt and install it. You may also hear a squealing noise coming from under the hood when you start up your car. Your belt is adjusted by moving the power steering pump,loosen all 3 pivot bolts and adjustment is made with the bolt that goes into the side of the lower P/S pump bracket, if your belt is smoking something is locking up most likely the alternator. He asked me, do you want a normal tire shop or an honest tire shop. However, you'll need the serpentine belt if you want your car running for long periods. That squealing sound can arise due to the constant friction due to motion. Most importantly, used the diagram shared here. $31.53. I wouldn't have guessed a 2012 Volvo would use a timing belt though. Mechanic's Assistant: . Had no luck getting a hold of them either to replace those two parts either. This pulley regulates the belts connected to the crankshaft and helps move numerous engine accessories. The answer should be 0 unless your car is fitted with some form of static inverter. If you own a Ford with a serpentine belt, you may have experienced the frustration of having the belt keep shredding. They said they were going to do a "safety check".. A buddy and I were replacing the belts on his wife's minivan in my driveway. There are some parts in your car that are necessary for many functions to work at all. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The cost to replace the idler pulley of your driver belt will usually be somewhere between $80 and $200. There is not much else you can do. I purchased a new belt at Napa Auto Parts and had a local garage do the work. You have got something out of whack there, take a straight edge, like a metal ruler or framing square and line up the pulleys, try to find one that is out of whack. $180 repair bill. This can be an additional $50 to $150. It powers the alternator, the power steering pump, the air conditioning compressor and, in some vehicles, the water pump. It is constantly moving, rotating as the car is running. Your belt is adjusted by moving the power steering pump,loosen all 3 pivot bolts and adjustment is made with the bolt that goes into the side of the lower P/S pump bracket, if your belt is smoking something is locking up most likely the alternator. The replacement cost of an alternator belt is typically between $100 and $200. If you want a quick answer on what happens to a car when the serpentine belt breaks or wondering how damaged your car may be from it. If your belt looks fine and isnt dry, there can be an issue with the idler pulley. Option 1-. The new Napa belt was on the truck for about six weeks or roughly 1k miles and I heard the sound of the belt coming apart the other night on my drive home. Very un nerving the sound of the shredded belt slapping against the fan area and anything else in it's path. The reason is that your engine places a significant load on your alternator during these moments. A car engine needs an alternator always to charge electricity to the car battery. . 2. I can. However, if the belt is worn, it might slip and scream when the vehicle accelerates. There are a few things that can be done to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.First, make sure that you regularly check the condition of your serpentine belt and replace it if necessary. Misaligned Pulleys. (Explained). Luckily, its easy to align the tensioner pulley yourself.Heres how: 1. Can You Drive With a Shredded Serpentine Belt? And like tharepairguy said, make sure it is the correct size. This method will clean the ribbed surface of the belt and eliminate any remaining impurities. Gates K080400 Micro-V Serpentine Drive Belt. Take belt off and spin pulleys- maybe bearings on either binding up and throwing belt off track and shredding. Feb 4, 2011 (Edited) So my serpentine belt broke on my way to work this morning, but luckily it was a straight 7 mile road and it was about -15 this morning so it didnt get hot and i didnt have to turn or stop but once. If you have a Mini Cooper, it is important to check the condition of the belt regularly.If you see any signs of wear, such as cracks or fraying, you should replace the belt as soon as possible. I actually had no idea my fairly new gator belt was shredding. When one broke, that one part didnt work but the rest did. The serpentine belt pulley bearings are more likely to fail than the belt. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Faulty belt or something causing it to tear? It is part of what keeps your car running smoothly. Its your car telling you somethings not right, and it may be your cars broken or old belt. Dodge Ram 1500 Starts But Wont Stay Running What Could Be The Problem? The battery-shaped charging system warning light might also come on because the alternator will stop charging the battery. If a car has a hydraulic power steering pump, the steering will become stiff. Now, if your belt is a new replacement, then youll want to look at the pulley first. Find the sound and search for a link between the sound and belt movement. Its a mobile mechanic and auto repair shop that comes to your doorstep (or anywhere you are) for your serpentine belt replacement! I said, take me to the "honest" tire shop. I used a floor jack, axle stands and a serpentine belt tool (CAD29.99). Brand new. If youve just got a new serpentine belt installed and yet you hear the squealing noise, chances are your mechanic didnt do a good enough job. And how can you prevent it from happening again?There are a few reasons why your serpentine belt may be shredding. He has a strong following among car enthusiasts, and his blog is widely recognized as a credible source of information on the latest developments in the industry. The average cost of replacing a serpentine belt is between $58 and $126. I have a 2000 Tundra. The good news is new car models come with durable belts (engine belt, alternator belt, timing belt, etc.) My neighbor stopped by and said to take the Gatorback belts off and get regular ones. Does the Brand of Serpentine Belt Matter? With time a serpentine drive belt will go bad, like most car parts. Slip the serpentine belt over the new alternator pulley. Our scenarios are mirrored. First, you might notice a squealing noise when you start up your car or accelerate.This squeal is caused by a lack of tension on the belt as it spins around the pulleys. There is no separate alternator belt. First, its important to understand what causes the problem.The serpentine belt is made of rubber, and over time, it can break down and become brittle. I was a jet fighter mechanic in the USAF so im used to attention to detail pertaining to mechanics. Many different brands of serpentine belts exist and some are better than others. I double checked the routing and the position of the belt on all the pulleys before starting it up and then checking again after it was running making sure all was as it should be. No. Could the battery be low and not allowing the engine . Related: Can You Jumpstart a Car With a Bad Alternator? What Can I Do If I Hear A Serpentine Belt Noise? Also, a broken serpentine belt will cause mechanical power steering systems to stop working, which could possibly cause an accident. Answer (1 of 11): I'm guessing you're asking how far you could drive on a single charge of the battery once the charging current from the alternator is lost? Successful 90k Service with Videos Miles - 186000 Everything worked great, its been about 1500 miles and yesterday my wife heard a loud ping and had no steering. My serpentine belt needed replaced and the tensioner got broke during the belt replacement process. Additionally, if any of the alternators pulleys are worn or loose, the belt might scream. First, try replacing just the damaged portion of the belt. I would imagine people are not getting the right size and or not installing them correctly if they are having problems. The serpentine belt transfers power to many different functions in your car, and therefore, a failed belt can cause some issues. Over time, the belt can become worn and start to tear. Second, if the pulleys are misaligned, the belt can rub against them and wear down.Third, if there is something wrong with the tensioner or idler pulley, they may not be able to keep the belt tight enough, causing it to slip and shred. went and got new belt and put it on and it turned over but no start. and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) 24/7 support when you need it. Complete Repair in One Purchase - Stop searching for parts individually and complete your repair with a single purchase of a customized kit or set from DIY Solutions. The belt broke and I drove about one mile back to my house. The squealing noise from the serpentine belt usually happens during startup and acceleration. Home - Cars - New Serpentine Belt Squeal on Startup: What to Do? Your belt is old and broke because of age. Looked under the hood, saw a bit of steam, and it smelled of burning.probably the belt. The scream will usually stop once the moisture is removed. So I took it somewhere cheaper to get the Napa belt put on and that broke apart in just over a month. tundrasolutions.com is not in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Give this a try and buy some Dielectric Grease It works instantly every time to fix that annoying belt chirp, squeak or squall on startup or even intermittent squeaks. The serpentine belt is also connected to your car's water pump and cooling system, so a broken belt will cause a disruption in your car's ability to cool itself. In short, this belt plays a vital role in an engines performance. Wear your protective goggles and avoid standing directly in front of the belt, as the spray will tend to fly out in a path, staining your clothes. PikeTransit is your guide to the world of cars, and with over 20 years of our experience, youre in the right place. With a friend assisting. getting a replacement belt installed by a mechanic. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better. Also, car is almost brand new, how the hell this happened? I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. . The belt starts to slide and scream if it does not retain continuous adherence to the different pulleys. The starter motor and ignition system will crank the car's engine to get the combustion process started. As a result, it allows the belt to slide a bit. One of the idler pulleys get stiff under load due to lube being dried out or bad bearing. Asked by Jason Jul 21, 2016 at 09:39 AM about the 2002 Honda CR-V EX AWD. In this instance, the only way to stop the serpentine belt noise is by getting a replacement belt installed by a mechanic. I had the car towed home and replaced the belt, but now the car won't start -- it just cranks over. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. Immediately, turn the key back to the right, or unlocked, position. However, if the serpentine belt drives your water pump and it snaps off, the coolant in your car will stop flowing, and your car engine will overheat very fast. Maybe I'll see what my mechanic say's about checking all the pulley's for rough spots that could be causing the new belt to tear. By doing so, you will make the alternator work harder, and if you hear even higher squealing, there might be something wrong with your belt. I don't know.. the tensioner just pulled it back .. Who makes the oem toyota belt? I thought the Napa belt was a decent buy. Your cars serpentine belt is responsible for turning the various pulleys that drive your vehicles accessories. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If the belt is still slipping or breaking, you may need to replace it.You can buy a new serpentine belt at most auto parts stores. Buying a Used Car: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid, How to check the engine when buying a used car, Timing belt: when should it be replaced, what happens if it breaks, Alternator, how it works, symptoms, testing, problems, replacement, Check Engine light: what to check, common problems, repair options, Check Engine Light: What to check first, repair options, Easy car maintenance checklist with photos, Difference between DOHC, SOHC and OHV engines, Ways to Protect Your Catalytic Converter from Theft, Catalytic Converter: problems, replacement options. However, you should get your old belt replaced with a new belt after around 75,000 miles. 4. Hey jbroas, thats exactly what my belt looked like when the second on self-destructed after the belt and tensioner were changed 25k miles previously. When an alternator belt shreds, it can cause a lot of damage to your car. But if you start hearing loud squeals coming from the serpentine belt, you know it is time to replace it. If the serpentine belt on your car is misaligned, it can cause a lot of problems. Wondering about the price estimate?Find out how much a RepairSmith serpentine belt replacement costs here. Thus, even if you already replaced your belt and had a new one, you can still have that squealing noise if the pulley is also worn out. Lubricate the belt. Pattyb said: I have a 2013 Malibu eco, in march the serpentine belt broke, the mechanic said it was the air conditiong unit was not working.so $1300 later I had a new ac unit and new serpentine belt.. September 9th driving down the road heard a strange noise pulled over didnt see anything . Unfortunately, you cant wash off the antifreeze once it has sunk in on the belt, and it damages the belt immediately. One thing to note is to avoid overdoing the lubrication as it may also damage the belt. A new one may not solve your problem. If your serpentine belt is shredded, its definitely time for a new one. tquiring 6 yr. ago. The engine turns this pulley, so when you turn your vehicle's engine, the crankshaft spins, and this motion turns the pulley. Belt has slid off 3 times now about a week apart. SOOOO frustrating. (Explained). Next, check the alignment of the belt. Viewed 14k times 2 there are two serpentine belts in my car - One is solely for the alternator, and one is for the power steering, air conditioning, water pump, etc. As if it's losing power and wants to shut off, My jeep grande cherokee 2013 the radio comes on but won't play music on any of the stations. The Mini Cooper is a British car that was first introduced in 1959. The cost for the new part should only be anywhere from $40 to $90, while the cost of the labor will be anywhere from $40 to $110. If your serpentine belt is worn or bad it will in most cases give a squeaky or squealing noise when the engine is cold, and in some cases it may not make any noise at all. This pulley can break down over time. In the old days, a car had several belts with each powering a certain part. These prices do not include added taxes and fees charged by the auto shop. If the replacement belt isnt installed properly, even a brand new belt and new belt pulley wont stop the squealing noise. The weather can also affect how long a serpentine belt will last.Cold temperatures can make the belt material brittle and prone to faster damage. Another possibility is that the belt itself is damaged or has stretched too much and needs to be replaced. As the temperature changes from hot to cold outside, your car will pump the coolant throughout the engine block to provide an even operating temperature. This belt is made of rubber and it can wear out over time.If the belt wears out, it can start to shred. Overdoing the spray will cause significant slippage and eradicate the belt. Is your car belt squeaking or makes noise on startup until it gets warm? RepairSmith is the easiest way to repair your car. 4) Flapping or Scraping Sound. In the old days, a car had several belts with each powering a certain part. There are a few signs that your serpentine belt may be getting ready to bite the dust. The most common Pulley to cause problems is the idler pulley, which may be misaligned or have a bad bearing.When you suspect that your idler pulley is the problem, check it for signs of wear or damage. You will notice it because the steering becomes really heavy if it is not working, so heavy that it may actually be dangerous. the relay clicks when i turn on the key but the fuel pump dont do. What should you do?And why is the serpentine belt making a noise in the first place? If any components like power steering pump, A/Compressor, alternator, harmonic balancer (not just idler or tensioner) has a pulley that has a loose bearing or bent will cause . So a local reputable garage did the job with the belt I purchased. There is a TSB for replacing the idler pulley on the '07 & '08 models. The serpentine belt is responsible for driving all of the accessories in your engine, so if its failing, it could be because one of those accessories is putting too much strain on the belt. A new belt is recommended once the accessory drive has been realigned. Losing power on a freeway or having an overheating engine while driving can not only put you in danger but can also cause others to wreck, depending on the situation. I was just doing some searching through old posts and started reading about this TSB. Okay so here is what happened. You can also check the belt to see if there are small cracks to determine when to change the belt. While replacing a serpentine belt is a relatively simple process that takes about an hour or two, replacing a broken serpentine belt and fixing any damage caused by it can take days. What do i do to fix it. If you hear your new serpentine belt squeal, the tensioner pulley that works it out is likely failing or broken. They didn't mention anything about TSB or recall. As you give the car gas to raise the engine speed, this rhythmic sound should speed up. 2010 Odyssey EX RES Canadian. Your email address will not be published. Brand NEW Serpentine Belt ACDelco 6K480. Antifreeze (engine coolant) is a colored liquid thats mixed with water to help regulate your engine through extreme temperatures. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models! In a nutshell, a new serpentine belt can still squeal even if its a new replacement. Belt glazing happens after it has been sliding throughout the surface of one or more pulleys for an extended period, and it is generally visible as a reflecting shine on the textured sides. It could also be a sign that the pulleys that the belt runs over are worn out and need to be replaced.In any case, its best to have a mechanic take a look at your engine to diagnose the problem and get it fixed.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'psychoautos_com-leader-3','ezslot_7',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-psychoautos_com-leader-3-0'); If your serpentine belt is wearing faster than normal, there are a few potential causes. To make things easier, just reach out to a professional like RepairSmith. I replied back with a classic "Come on now, I just bought the belt for $50 and it took me 10 mins to swap it out".. It transports power to all the vital vehicle parts from the air conditioning to the water pump. I would guess your big thing is to make sure the pulleys are smooth, not damaged, and completely on each pulley when the new one is put on. Why does my brand new serpentine belt squeal? If these cracks increase in number, the belt tension and the tightness in the pulley system will reduce, resulting in slippage or snapping. I watched closely to make sure it the routing of the belt was correct and also that the belt lined up properly on all the pulley's. Such a belt tensioner can make a loose serpentine belt fall off the tensioner. If it doesnt, the belt may slip, and the annoying squeal will start. If you have a separate belt for the AC pump and it fails, everything else might work except the air condition. Due to the serpentine belts importance, there are many symptoms you may experience when it goes bad or snaps off. When the belt slips, the friction between the belt and accessory drive pulleys causes the drive belt to overheat, producing a high-pitched squealing noise.