How do I know if my fan belt is bad?
How to Tell if Your Drive Belt or Fan Belt Is Bad
- you hear a squealing noise: a drive belt that is stretched or out of adjustment can make a squealing noise.
- you see physical damage: a belt that is visibly cracked, frayed, torn or broken is no good.
- warning lights are on: the alternator is driven by the drive belt.
Can you drive with a bad fan belt?
There are a couple of factors influencing the answer to this question, but on average, your car should be able to run between 20-90 minutes with a broken serpentine belt. The engine will overheat faster without a functioning cooling system on a hot day, so your driving window is less.
How much does it cost to fix a fan belt?
A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around $100 to $195 to replace your serpentine belt.
How much should it cost to replace a fan belt?
But what does a serpentine belt replacement cost? Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs around $70-$200 (plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.
How long can you drive with a loose belt?
How long will my car run with a broken serpentine belt? There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
How long do fan belts last?
60,000 to 100,000 miles
Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Pretty impressive. However, some belts are manually tensioned and may need to be adjusted.
What does a loose fan belt sound like?
A loose drive belt will often be noisy, squeaking a bit, or emitting a high-pitched squeal. The most obvious sign of a loose drive belt, though, is in its appearance and tension. Belts are used to rotate components on the engine assembly, such as a coolant pump (water pump).
What does a broken fan belt sound like?
Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from under the hood. This causes the belt to start slipping from time to time. You might hear it when the engine is started in the morning or in wet weather as squealing or chirping noises coming from under the hood.
How long should a fan belt last?
Serpentine belts are built to last—much longer than before because of advancements in rubber technology. Under ideal conditions, a belt should stick with you for an average of 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
How much is a fan belt replacement?
Is a fan belt the same as a serpentine belt?
Sometimes called a fan belt, alternator belt, or accessory drive belt, the serpentine belt is spun by the engine crankshaft and, in turn, spins, or “drives”, the accessories. The belt should be changed as part of your routine preventative maintenance schedule to avoid failure or breakage while driving.
What happens when your car fan belt goes bad?
As the fan belt continues to lose its grip and slip, it makes power steering increasingly difficult, as your car misses the help of the water pump, which also has responsibility for driving the power steering belt. The cabin inside your car develops disco fever.
How do I know when to replace my fan belt?
After a while, if the belt lets the water pump slide enough times, the engine will overheat. Your serpentine belt is impersonating a snake in the grass. If you find your fan belt is no longer attached to your engine, or is lying on the ground somewhere, that is definitely a sign that it’s time to replace your fan belt!
What are the signs of a bad timing belt?
Common signs include a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt. 1. Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle 2. Power steering and AC not working 3. Engine overheating 4. Cracks and wear on the belt
What is a fan belt?
Fan belts are more commonly found in vehicles built before the 1990’s when serpentine belts started to replace them. In theses older models, “fan belts” are usually paired with other belts that together form a “V” shape around your drive pulleys and gears.