A typical serpentine belt will last 60,000 to 100,000miles. Different vehicles have different service maintenance schedules. Over time a belt and the pulleys they ride on become worn and fatigued. In most cases you may hear a chirping or squeal noise. Listed below are some common serpentine belt problems.
·Cracked and Worn: Serpentine belts have groves. The groves align with the groves on pulleys attached to engine accessories. Over time the groves on the belt wear down and become loose fitting on the pulleys. When a belt becomes loose the pulley will not turn as fast as it should. This will cause the alternator not to work. Age also can play havoc on a belt. A serpentine belt is rubber and over time rubber can dry rot causing cracks. The cracks in time will cause the belt to snap. A broken belt will cause drive ability issues.
·Defective Belt Pulleys: Serpentine belts use pulleys to drive engine accessories. Pulleys can go bad over time; if this occurs the belt can become misaligned. The end result is the belt slipping or becoming damaged. Having your belts checked at normal service intervals can help catch issues.
·Belt Tension: A serpentine belt has to have proper tension to stay aligned on the pulleys. The part that controls the tension is the belt tensioner. A belt tensioner can also become weak over time causing the belt to loosed and slip.
·Weather: A squeaking belt can also be weather related. On cold days the belt can be stiff and as it warms up the belt becomes flexible again causing the noise to go away. You still should get the belt looked at, because cold weather can cause the belt to become brittle. A brittle belt can break! Again routine checks at regular service intervals can prevent a break down.
If you think you are having failing belt. Contact DeWitt's Automotive Center for a courtesy 63 point courtesy health check. Our technicians will look at your serpentine belt for wear/cracks and tension. Call us today at 757-242-9444 or you can contact us online at www.dewittsautomotivecenter.net
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