When the miles on a vehicle approach 50,000 to 100,000 miles, more attention should be given to the vehicle’s belts. To be specific, we are going to be discussing the serpentine belt in today’s blog. The serpentine belt is the component responsible for transferring power to multiple engine accessories. In other words, it provides power to many parts such as the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and more. If you don’t want to face any failures, make sure you replace your belt on time.
Signs That Indicate Your Serpentine Belt Is Failing
Contrary to other vehicle parts, the serpentine belt typically doesn’t stop working out of the blue. They simply become less effective at its job over time. And if you don’t catch it soon enough, it will provide more obvious signs or leave you stranded altogether. Some of the warning signs of a bad serpentine belt include the following:
- Squealing Noises – A bad serpentine belt may emit a high-pitched squeal from under the hood. This is often caused by a misalignment of the belt. To make sure the belt doesn’t completely slip off, it would be wise to replace it sooner than later.
- Air Conditioning Problems – The A/C system in a vehicle will almost always be nonfunctional when the serpentine belt gives out. This is due to the fact that the serpentine belt runs through the A/C system to power the compressor, a part responsible for circulating refrigerant.
- Engine Overheating – Another problem that a faulty serpentine belt can cause is engine overheating. It can stop the functions of the water pump, which is a vital part in supplying coolant to the engine.
- Check Engine Light Illumination – Last but not least, the check engine light or other dashboard warning light can come on when the serpentine is on its last stretch.
To be on top of your serpentine belt’s condition, we recommend having your belts (and hoses) checked regularly. We can do this at your next maintenance service. If you need a serpentine belt replacement, please turn to the professional team at European Auto Motors.