A squealing or noisy belt is one of the most common symptoms of a slipping or worn serpentine belt. Squealing can be more pronounced when you’re climbing a hill and running your heater or air conditioning at the same time. Squealing can also occur after you drive over deep puddles or have an undercarriage car wash.
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When should a serpentine belt be changed on a BMW?
Your serpentine belt was made to last. Under ideal circumstances, your car’s serpentine belt should last 60,000–100,000 miles. It’s important to replace this belt as part of your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance (even if it looks okay) to avoid it breaking while you’re on the road.
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).
How long do BMW serpentine belts last?
How Long Do Serpentine Belts Last? Most modern serpentine belts are able to last anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, which is a fairly big window of time.
Can I replace serpentine belt myself?
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 I know if my serpentine belt is worn out?
- Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt.
- Power steering and AC not working.
- Engine overheating.
- Cracks and wear on the belt.
What happens if serpentine 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.
How long does it take to replace serpentine belt?
It usually takes approximately thirty minutes for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt. With the right tools and equipment, an auto mechanic can complete the process within thirty minutes to an hour.
How long can you drive without a serpentine belt?
It depends on what the belt runs. If it runs the water pump you won’t make it more than a few miles before overheating. If the water pump is still good you should be able to make it about 20 miles on a good battery.
Can serpentine belt last 200000 miles?
Being made of durable rubber, a serpentine belt can last anywhere from around 50,000-100,000 miles.
Can a serpentine belt last 150000 miles?
An older-style belt, made from Neoprene, usually lasts around 50,000 miles. Thus, a car with this type of belt might last you for four to five years. However, a newer belt made from ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM, may last for 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles.
Do I need to replace tensioner with serpentine belt?
Should the tensioner be replaced when replacing the serpentine belt? Not necessarily, if there is good tension when you remove the belt, the spring is good, spin the pulley and see if there is any looseness or noise in the bearing. If there is, replace the tensioner.
What causes Fanbelt noise?
Our research has shown two main causes of belt noise: The belt squeals because there is improper tension in the belt drive system. This is usually caused by a worn automatic tensioner, but other causes can include a contaminated belt (oil, belt dressing, etc.) or a belt that is too long or worn out.
Is an alternator 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. Cars of the past relied on multiple drive belts, but today’s vehicles (usually) count on just one, the serpentine belt.
Is a drive belt the same as a serpentine belt?
A serpentine belt is used for most makes and models because it’s known to last longer. And because it’s made of a more flexible material, you can remove it and have it replaced with a brand-new one. A drive belt is comprised of material that’s thicker and tougher than a 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.
Does serpentine belt brand matter?
The Verdict: OEM Serpentine Belts Are Better They offer much more value in the long haul, though, because: OEM serpentine belts always fit right. Aftermarket serpentine belts don’t always fit right.
Does serpentine belt affect transmission?
A Broken Serpentine Belt Could Ruin the Transmission Almost as soon as your car’s serpentine belt breaks, the engine will begin to overheat. Without the belt running, the water pump won’t be able to adequately cool your engine. When the engine overheats, your transmission may be damaged.
What noise does a bad serpentine belt make?
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 does a slipping 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. A loose belt, simply stated, looks and feels loose.
Does serpentine belt affect brakes?
The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in most vehicles. Those pumps make the pressure that assists your steering and braking. In many vehicles, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.
How long can you drive with a squeaky serpentine belt?
That’s why it’s recommended that the serpentine belt is replaced early when the squealing symptoms are first noticed. Although it may be safe to drive with the squealing for a few days or weeks, the belt will eventually need to be replaced, and for safety, the earlier it’s repaired, the better.
Does the serpentine belt affect the battery?
The serpentine belt does affect the battery. The belt keeps the alternator spinning, and those rotations in turn power your: Steering system. Electrical system. Air conditioning.
Can you start a car without a serpentine belt?
If you’re wondering whether or not you can drive your car without a serpentine belt, the answer is no. There are many dangers to driving without a serpentine belt. A car can only take out so much slack from other components before they fail and stop working altogether.
Can you drive with a loose serpentine belt?
Can I Drive With A Worn Serpentine Belt? Yes, you can. But if you know you have a worn belt, it’s better to get a serpentine belt replacement. There’s no reason to knowingly risk your vehicle and your own safety driving with a bad serpentine belt.