Learn How to Tell When Your Serpentine Belt Needs Replacing
Have your serpentine belt checked if you here squealing. Source: osunick
If you have ever looked under the hood of your car, you may have seen your serpentine belt. Long and twisting throughout your engine, it is the part that keeps your alternator, power steering, air conditioner, water pump and other engine components running, powered by the crankshaft. When your timing, or serpentine, belt fails, it can cause major problems under the hood of your car. Heed these warning signs to know when to replace a serpentine belt.
Newer cars have timing belts made of ethylene propelen dyeen monomer. If your car has one of these, it will rarely need replacing. Older models that do not have that type of belt, however, will see belt failure during the life of their cars. Usually that demarcation point is around 100,000 miles.
A failing serpentine belt will display a number of symptoms. First, it will start squealing. Squealing can be caused by water or oil on the belt as well, so make sure to check the belt for their absence first.
If it has recently rained or you have driven through water, that condition will rectify itself. If there is oil on the belt, that can be indicative of other problems. If you have not changed your oil or added oil recently, take your car in to be checked out immediately.
You can also check your belt for cracking or fraying with a flashlight and a dental mirror. If there are more than three cracks per inch in the belt’s ribbed section, you need to consider getting the belt replaced.
For more expert help on knowing when to replace a serpentine belt, consult the experts at Munich West. They have the knowledge and expertise to help keep your foreign automobile running in top shape.
