Serpentine belt vs timing belt manual#

If you notice these noises, you should schedule a check before more faults occur.Ĭracks and wear. This sound indicates belt tension, low belt tension, or that the pulleys and belts are not working together properly. When the snake-like belt starts to slip, it may begin to chirp or squeak. There are various symptoms that may indicate that your car’s snake-like belt is wearing out, including:Ī creaking or chirping sound. When these things happen, it can become misplaced or contaminated with liquid. What Are the Signs of a Failing Serpentine Belt?Īs the snake-shaped belt ages and wears away, the rubber parts may flake off, causing the belt to break, wear or slip.

Serpentine belt vs timing belt manual#

These belts often need to be replaced at the same time, so check with your mechanic or the owner’s manual to see if you also need to replace a timing belt. The serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt. Timing belts have horizontal “teeth” designed to match the gears of crankshafts and camshafts. When you look at the grooves, you can easily tell the difference between the two. It connects the crankshaft outside the engine to all the engine accessories. The serpentine belt is what keeps the engine accessories running smoothly and efficiently. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons, thus allowing the engine to run smoothly. The timing belt is located inside the engine to keep the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. The serpentine belt and the timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. Serpentine Belt vs Timing BeltĪ serpentine belt is not the same as a timing belt.

That’s why it’s so important to change the serpentine belt regularly. In addition, it can damage the engine parts it controls. You will lose power steering, the air conditioner will stop, your batteries will eventually die and the engine may overheat. While using only one belt is the most efficient and reliable option, it also means that when your car’s snake-like belt breaks, everything stops working! You lose power steering, you lose power. This is because vehicles in the past had multiple belts connected to the engine and accessories (such as radiator fans).īut modern vehicles typically have a single belt, powered by multiple pulleys that power all the accessories. You may have heard of serpentine belts called fan belts or accessory belts. The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that delivers power to the engine accessories: alternators, power steering pumps, air conditioning compressors, and water pumps.