- Fan Belt Squeaking. The fan belt will squeak when you start your engine when it is time to replace it.
- Flickering Lights.
- Steering Becomes Difficult.
- Car Refuses to Start.
- Engine Gets Overheated.
- Cracks in the Belt.
Table of Contents
Can I fix my fan belt myself?
Overview: Fan belt replacement Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one.
How do you change a BMW fan belt?

How many belts does a BMW E90 have?
Figure 1 BMW E90 models utilize 1 multi-rib engine drive belt.
What happens if your fan belt breaks while driving?
This can lead to a sudden lost of power assist for the steering system, leading to the steering wheel all-of-a-sudden becoming very hard to turn. A broken serpentine belt may stop the water pump from circulating coolant through the cooling system, causing the engine can overheat.
What does a worn fan belt sound like?
It can squeak, squeal, chirp and clunk, imitating a bad engine-driven accessory or engine bearing. These noises can fool even the most experienced mechanic and lead to an expensive misdiagnosis. Squeals and chirps are definitely the two most common serpentine belt noises and usually result from different problems.
What happens if you don’t fix a fan belt?
You’ll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.
How long does it take to change a fan belt?
Fan belt replacement can take as little as 15 minutes, but usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Fan belt replacement costs vary across the country according to each garage and dealership.
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt on a BMW?
Typically, a serpentine belt replacement may cost around $100-$195. This includes both labor charges ($75-$120) and spare parts ($25-$75).
What is idler pulley used for?
The idler pulley is a common part that’s found on the majority of the vehicles on the road. Its primary function is to provide tension and guide the engine drive belt. These belts wrap around the various parts of the engine such as the power steering pump, alternator, water pump etc…
What does a serpentine belt do?
What is a serpentine belt? A serpentine belt is one long rubber belt along your car’s engine that provides power to many vital components in your car like the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and sometimes the water pump, according to Firestone.
How many belts does a BMW E46 have?
Project Photos. Figure 1 The BMW E46 models utilize 2 multi-rib engine drive belts.
When should a serpentine belt be changed on a BMW?
- Squealing noise from the front of the engine.
- Slapping noise from the front of the engine.
- Alternator warning coming on inconsistently.
How do you remove a serpentine belt?

What causes fan belt to break?
Serpentine belt problems usually result from one of three causes: a defective belt tensioner; misalignment of a pulley; or, defective bearings in the tensioner, idler, or one of accessories driven by the belt (including the water pump).
Can you drive without fan belt?
Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. The serpentine belt drives the water pump, and without it, there is insufficient coolant flow to maintain the engine temperature.
How long can a car run without serpentine 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.
What can I spray on squeaky fan belt?

Can you spray wd40 on serpentine belt?

How do you know if your serpentine belt tensioner is bad?

Is fan belt same as timing belt?
The fan belt is used to transfer rotational power from one place to another in the engine. It works in a very similar way to the timing belt; the only real difference is that it connects a different set of rotating shafts together.
Is a serpentine belt the same as a fan 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. Cars of the past relied on multiple drive belts, but today’s vehicles (usually) count on just one, the serpentine belt.
What is the difference between a serpentine belt and a drive belt?
A serpentine belt actually has the ability to transmit the power between your power steering pump, your alternator, air conditioning compressor and water pump, whereas your drive belt simply operates them..
How much does it cost to replace fan belts?
A typical serpentine belt generally starts at around $15 and goes up to $80 at most. Add to that the labor costs that can range from $75 and $120. Altogether, you’re looking at around $90 to $200 (plus taxes and fees) to replace your serpentine belt.
Does serpentine belt affect acceleration?
Can A Bad Serpentine Belt Cause Acceleration Problems? Yes, it could. Bad serpentine belts cause loss of power. Especially in situations where slippage occurs and the alternator supplies power to the ECM.