How would you identify a serpentine belt that needs replacement?

If you suspect your serpentine belt is failing, watch out for the following symptoms:

  1. 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.
  2. Power steering and AC not working.
  3. Engine overheating.
  4. Cracks and wear on the belt.

How do I know what size my serpentine belt is?

Measure the length of string it took to wrap around the path of the serpentine belt. Purchase a belt one size smaller than the size you measured. The actual belt will have tension on it, whereas the string doesn’t. For example, if you measured 80 inches, purchase a belt that is 79 1/2 inches.

How do you read a belt part number?

Automotive belts start with either 4L (12.5mm wide) or 3L (9.5mm). The number following it is the outside length of the belt in tenths of inches. The inside length of the belt is typically 2″ less for a 4L belt, and 1-1/2″ less for a 3L belt. An example would be 4L460, which would be 46″ long outside, 44″ inside.

What happens if my serpentine belt breaks?

The serpentine belt is also known as an alternator belt, fan belt, or accessory drive belt. If your serpentine belt wears out, becomes damaged or contaminated, or breaks, engine accessories will not be able to spin at the proper speed, leading to decreased power to the electrical system.

What do the numbers mean on a drive belt?

Most v-ribbed belts, commonly referred to as serpentine belts, contain two different part numbers. EXAMPLE: 6PK1003 » 6 – This indicates the number of ribs on the belt; therefore, this is a 6-rib belt. » PK – The “P” indicates a metric designation, and the “K” indicates the belt is automotive per SAE J1459.

Can you drive with a broken serpentine belt?

It is best to not drive a car with a broken belt, even for a short distance. Get the car towed or get a mechanic to come to the car to replace the belt. Everything it turns will stop working. Power steering, AC, alternator, and most importantly, the water pump.

When to replace a broken serpentine engine belt?

Using a gauge to check for belt wear (Image courtesy of tradetrucks.com) Have the belt replaced whenever a related component is replaced (a broken belt is often associated with a damaged or seized pulley on one of the engine accessories).

How to get a serpentine belt cross reference?

SERPENTINE BELT CROSS REFERENCE Customer Service: 800-95-BANDO | [email protected]| W O R L D C L A S Q U A L I T Y SI N CE 1 9 0 6 Metric 6 Number of Ribs Size of Rib Number of Ribs Length in 10th of an inch Millimeters x 0.03937 = inches Inches x 25.4 = millimeters Metric Pitch – Size of Ribs Number of Ribs

What makes up the serpentine belt in a car?

A serpentine belt is a relatively long, flat, multi-ribbed belt that is driven by the engine’s crankshaft pulley. The belt drives many, and often all, of the engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump, and air pump.

When to replace serpentine belt on VW Jetta?

Some older cars use a serpentine belt to drive most accessories but will also have a shorter v-style belt to drive, for example, the power steering pump. Regularly scheduled maintenance. Typically, belt manufacturers recommend belt replacement at 90,000 miles.

When to replace a serpentine belt in a car?

Vehicle manufacturers recommend inspection and replacement of the serpentine belt between 60k and 90k miles. Advances in material technology allow some belts to last more than 100k miles.

SERPENTINE BELT CROSS REFERENCE Customer Service: 800-95-BANDO | [email protected]| W O R L D C L A S Q U A L I T Y SI N CE 1 9 0 6 Metric 6 Number of Ribs Size of Rib Number of Ribs Length in 10th of an inch Millimeters x 0.03937 = inches Inches x 25.4 = millimeters Metric Pitch – Size of Ribs Number of Ribs

How did the serpentine belt get its name?

The serpentine belt is aptly named for the way it snakes around the pulleys inside the engine bay. This long, winding rubber belt powers many of the important systems of your vehicle by transferring power from the engine’s crankshaft to the accessory pulleys.

Where can I buy a broken fan belt?

If you need to replace a worn or broken fan belt and want advice on which belt you should buy for your vehicle, contact us on 021 657 5757 or visit your nearest Masterparts branch. At Masterparts, we pride ourselves on offering the widest possible selection of auto parts online and off.