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March 10, 2024
There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt.
In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the rotating power of the engine to turn a mechanical part. But engineers had an idea. Why not consolidate all those belts into one that ran a bunch of different parts simultaneously? Voila! The serpentine belt.
It's found in the front or side of your engine unlike older belts which were often in a V shape, the serpentine belt has ribs on it which more effectively connect with the pulleys that power the other components. A serpentine belt may power the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, and the air conditioning: all from one crankshaft.
Now, all that's fine when everything is working well and the belt is intact. But when a serpentine belt wears, gets loose, or breaks, it can affect many engine components at once. Not an ideal situation.
If you hear squeals coming from the engine compartment, see a battery light, or the engine overheats, those could be signs that your serpentine belt needs replacing.
The good news is that they usually last a long time, from 60,000-100,000 miles or 100,000-160,000 km. Still, they don't last forever, and your vehicle's manufacturer usually recommends replacing them when they've gone close to the expected maximum. It’s also recommended that you replace the pulleys and belt tensioner at the same time as they have the same service life. Regular maintenance and inspection of the serpentine belt is not only a good idea; it’s one of those things that you should not let "slip" by.
Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St)
165 Cleveland Street
Elyria, Ohio 44035
440-322-3713
https://www.tuffyclevelandst.com
May 12, 2024
Winter is one of the hardest times to keep your vehicle clean. But did you know neglecting to wash your vehicle in winter could cost you a significant amount of money in the long run? Here's why. Many areas deal with snow and ice in the winter, and the salt and sand that are used to keep the road... More
May 5, 2024
When we Elyria residents get a car repair bill, we really shouldn't be surprised to find diagnostic fees as one of the line items. When we get a computer fixed, there is usually a charge for the time it takes to diagnose the problem. When we go to a medical doctor, most of his fee is for his abil... More
April 28, 2024
At one time or another, most drivers honk their horn at someone who might be texting at a stoplight or not paying attention when they're driving. But what happens when you tap on your horn and all of a sudden it won't quit? Everyone's looking at you like you're an angry jerk and all you want to ... More
