The serpentine belt is an essential component of your vehicle. It helps to drive the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, and water pump. A bad or failing serpentine belt can cause some major damage to both your engine and components in a very short amount of time. To ensure your vehicle runs safely and efficiently, it's important to stay on top of your serpentine belt maintenance and look out for any warning signs that it needs to be repaired or replaced. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the signs that your serpentine belt is failing.
Signs of a Failing Serpentine Belt
There are several signs that your serpentine belt is failing. Some of the most common warning signs include:
- Squealing or Chirping Noise - If your serpentine belt is damaged, worn, or loose, you may hear a squealing noise when the vehicle is started and accelerates. This squealing sound usually means that the belt needs to be tightened or replaced as soon as possible.
- Cracks and Wear - Take a close look at your serpentine belt for signs of cracking, fraying, and excessive wear. If the belt is cracked or severely worn it should be replaced immediately.
- Engine Overheating - If your serpentine belt breaks completely, you may notice your engine temperature gauge rising above normal levels. This is due to a lack of coolant circulation, which could lead to severe engine damage if not addressed promptly.
Why Address A Failing Serpentine?
Having a faulty serpentine belt can be dangerous and cause life-threatening damage to your vehicle. It can result in significant power loss, and increased engine temperature, and can even lead to complete engine failure. It is important to have your serpentine belt checked regularly to prevent any of these issues from happening.
At our auto repair shop, we have the necessary tools and expertise to make sure any serpentine belt repairs or replacements are done properly and safely. If you think your serpentine belt is failing, don't hesitate to bring your vehicle in for an inspection, we invite you to bring your vehicle to Westside Car Care today!